Sting set up to catch cop in rape try

Cathy Scott and Rachael Levy

Monday, Feb. 10, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

Metro Police Officer Arthur Sewall knocked on the door of a downtown motel room, responding to a complaint that the television was too loud. Unbeknownst to Sewall, the call and the woman who answered the door were part of a sting to catch the cop committing a crime.

The 30-year-old Sewall was arrested Saturday at the Del Mar Motel on charges that he threatened the woman with arrest for illegal drug possession unless she performed oral sex. Police sources said an unopened condom was found in the room.

Sewall posted the $6,000 bail and was released from the Clark County Detention Center about five hours after his arrest. He is set to appear in Justice Court March 3 on charges of attempted rape and oppression under the color of law. The six-year officer, who works out of the downtown substation and was once a bicycle cop, is on paid administrative leave.

The prostitute agreed to participate in the undercover operation Wednesday, the same day she reported that Sewall had raped her. For about three years, prostitutes have reported incidents of officer rapes, law enforcement sources said, but police have been unable to nail down the accused cop's identity. Police would not say if Saturday's arrest was related to those allegations.

A team of sexual assault and vice officers attempted to snare their colleague late last week but failed. But Saturday, Sewall took their bait, they said.

Just before noon, Sewall allegedly walked into the motel's lobby and told desk clerk Thomas Richardson and Assistant Manager Larry Sharp that he was responding to a noise complaint in Room 4. Sharp walked him to the room and said a slender white woman with blond hair answered the door.

The officer "said he'd take it from here, and I said, 'OK' and I left," Sharp said.

The Del Mar is a small motel at 1411 Las Vegas Blvd. South, a half-block north of the Stratosphere hotel-casino. Motel marquees advertise king-size beds, adult videos and "overnight or hourly specials." Stacks of fliers advertising adult entertainers are in the lobby. The cheapest room rate is $25 for three hours.

"We don't question anybody," the desk clerk said. "Put it this way, we don't ask anybody's business. We just want two people to a room, two people. If others start coming in and out, we kick them out."

The employees said they regularly cooperate with Metro vice officers conducting stings against prostitutes and their clients. They said Del Mar's owner donates $100 a month to the witness protection program.

Motel employees said that after the officer entered the room, more plain-clothes officers arrived and staked out the area. Employees and police sources said officers were in the adjoining Room 3 where they videotaped the interaction between Sewall and the woman.

About 10 minutes later the woman ran out the door screaming and sprinted six doors away where she hid behind a maid's cleaning cart.

"She was there by herself for a while and then some man came and stood next to her," said another maid. "I guess they was undercover. There had to be about 12 of them."

Employees said it took another 10 minutes before the uniformed officer was escorted out of the room in handcuffs and put into a police car. Witnesses said police had drawn their guns.

"He was very calm," the assistant manager said. "Nothing was said."

When the SUN contacted Sewall Sunday evening, he declined to comment on the charges. His wife and mother, who reportedly posted bail for him, also contacted by phone, said the family did not want to talk.

"I'm not ready to comment yet," Sewall said.

At least one fellow officer defended Sewall, calling him a "good cop." News of the arrest was met with shock within Metro ranks, which have been rocked by scandal.

"Metro's falling apart. It's unraveling," a veteran bike cop said.

Some veteran cops blame new officers for the force's rogue image. Younger officers do not have the same integrity and commitment, said one officer with 18 to 20 years experience.

"All the young cops, this is merely a job for them," he said. "It's not a career."

Another longtime officer said, "The more people, the more problems."