DA Krasner Announces Perjury, Falsification Charges Against Police Officer for Narcotics Arrest

CONTACT:
Jane Roh, 215–686–8711, Jane.Roh@phila.gov

PHILADELPHIA (April 14, 2021) — District Attorney Larry Krasner on Wednesday announced Perjury and related charges have been filed against Police Officer James Saxton (DOB: 12/27/1986) for his role in a 2019 narcotics arrest.

Following a Philadelphia Police Internal Affairs investigation and District Attorney’s Office (DAO) Special Investigations Unit review, Saxton is alleged to have lied under oath at a preliminary hearing about observing two Latinx males engaging in an attempted illegal drug transaction at the corner of A Street and Indiana Avenue on April 28, 2019. Officer Saxton is alleged to have arrested one of the individuals without legal justification, and to have falsified official reports.

“In order to earn the trust and cooperation of the public, we need police officers to tell the truth just like we need prosecutors to tell the truth,” District Attorney Krasner said. “Official corruption and abuse of power impact whole communities, which in this case included witnesses who provided cell phone and surveillance camera footage that disproved Officer Saxton’s initial reports. Official lying undermines all law enforcement. This case illustrates the importance of Body Worn Cameras, and of following the rules of conduct within the department — especially rules regarding the usage of body worn cameras and the correct filing and storage of BWC footage.”

Officer Saxton is charged with Perjury (F3), Unsworn Falsification (M2), and Official Oppression (M2).

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The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is the largest prosecutor’s office in Pennsylvania, and one of the largest in the nation. It serves the more than 1.5 million residents of the City and County of Philadelphia, employing 600 lawyers, detectives, and support staff. The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for the prosecution of approximately 40,000 criminal cases annually.