North Las Vegas officer arrested, accused of misconduct

Published Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008 | 10:20 a.m.

Updated Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008 | 1:58 p.m.

James Vernon Clayton

North Las Vegas Police Department

A three-year veteran of the North Las Vegas Police Department was arrested today and charged with felony misconduct after a five-month investigation.

Authorities arrested officer James Vernon Clayton, 40, at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday. He was booked into the Clark County Detention Center on five counts of misconduct of a public officer, a felony; two counts of oppression under color of office, a felony; and one count of open and gross lewdness, a misdemeanor. Authorities said he allegedly sought dates and sexual favors from women he stopped for traffic violations.

Police spokeswoman Chrissie Coon said the victims were five adult females. The incidents allegedly occurred while Clayton was on duty as a patrol officer, she said.

Coon said authorities are hoping that any additional victims will come forward. None of the women reported being physically harmed or sexually assaulted, although documents show that one alleged that Clayton exposed himself and tried to touch her.

Clayton was arrested on a warrant after a five-month criminal investigation conducted by North Las Vegas Police investigators. Coon said an internal affairs investigation will begin at the conclusion of the criminal investigation.

Clayton has been on paid administrative leave since July.

Anyone with other information regarding the case is being asked to contact police at 633-1946.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Discussion: 5 comments so far…

By citizen_jj

12/23/08 at 12:33 p.m.

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According to other articles written on this matter, this officer has been on paid administrative leave since July. I would expect (and so should the citizens of this community) he will be required to return all wages received while on "paid administrative leave" should he be found guilty of any or all charges.
By mikeg

12/23/08 at 6:09 p.m.

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Oh come on, he won't have to return that money, the 5 month paid vacation he received for sexually harassing women in the community he was paid to protect. It was his goodbye payoff from the good old boys who run the department. I guess some cops think the law doesn't apply to them.
By jfnance32

12/23/08 at 6:47 p.m.

Suggest removal

That is nothing.

There is a guy that got accused of stealing from the state community college system.

He went on a year paid vacation.

He came back and there was him and this other guy doing the same job and each got paid over $100K each.

Also, it was found out that he has spent time in prison for stealing.

About 2 months ago, the state has indicted him for stealing.

Guess what?

He is back on paid vacation again.

It takes a miracle to fire a government worker.

Then you take the Loux matter.

He gave himself an illegal 30% raise.

They found out.

Did they fire him? No

He has resigned but is still working until they find a replacement.

Has the state indicted for that crime? No

Government jobs....you got to love it.
By gold1020

12/24/08 at 8:01 a.m.

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When James Clayton winds up in jail-this cop is gonna wish he never exposed himself to anyone.
By spxman

12/24/08 at 12:21 p.m.

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Clayton was arrested on a warrant after a five-month criminal investigation conducted by North Las Vegas Police investigators

It takes five months to arrest the guy?
Gotta love the Good Ol Boy network