Louisville police officer fired for sending officer nude photo

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Louisville Metro Police officer was fired for sending a picture of his penis to a female officer he was training and having inappropriate sexual conversations with her.

Officer Justin LeMon was terminated for multiple conduct unbecoming violations, according to an April 11 memo from Chief Paul Humphrey. Allegations of harassment and sexual abuse were not sustained.

Humphrey reviewed an investigative file that included, among other evidence, body camera video, LeMon's statement and an interview with the victim, Officer Christine Silk.

"You admitted to engaging in these conversations and sending her the picture" while he was on duty and in uniform, the chief wrote. "Your conduct has brought discredit upon the department. I will not tolerate this type of conduct by any member of the Louisville Metro Police Department."

LeMon was also accused of inappropriate conduct with a female confidential informant and other female citizens, Humphrey wrote in a memo obtained by WDRB News under the open records law.

Attorney Sara Collins, who represents Silk, questioned why LeMon wasn't found to have violated the department's harassment or sexual abuse policies.

"That's the appropriate action," she said of the termination, "but not the appropriate charge."

Todd Lewis, who represents LeMon, said in a statement Monday that they disagree that "sending another office a sexual image was grounds alone for termination," regardless of circumstance.

"Such circumstances not considered by the Chief include, among other things, the consent of the parties involved, and the overall credibility of the accuser," Lewis said. "As we understand the situation, under no circumstances has the Chief deemed only one officer's version of those circumstances to be fully accurate and credible. In fact, we have already reported to the Chief very serious concerns in that regard."

Silk filed a lawsuit against the department last year, claiming she was sexually harassed by two male supervisors during her first year on the job.

The other officer named was Officer Dale Cottongim, who previously received a reprimand and was transferred out of the training unit, according to a copy of his disciplinary history. The lawsuit alleges Silk was a recruit in her first week last year when one of her instructors, Cottongim, began asking inappropriate questions about her being a single mother.

In front of her classmates, according to the lawsuit, Cottongim suggested that Silk "whore herself out of childcare" and "go on a date, take a guy home, sleep with him and then (she) would have childcare."

After Silk told a female sergeant about the conduct, an internal investigation concluded Cottongim had violated LMPD policy regarding conduct unbecoming and courtesy. He was exonerated on an allegation of sexual harassment.

Upon graduating from the academy, Silk began training with LeMon, who made inappropriate comments and advances toward her, according to the suit.

LeMon brushed against Silk's breasts and attempted to raise her shirt, the suit claims.

Another time, while Silk was driving, he allegedly forced her to read a sexual fantasy he had written about her in the notes section of his phone.

In addition, LeMon tried to hug Silk while he said he had an erection, telling her to look at it, the suit claims.

And the lawsuit includes texts sent to Silk asking for nude picture and a redacted picture of LeMon's penis.

"I didn’t get any type of response last night and was sweating (laugh emoji)," LeMon texted the day after allegedly sending a picture of his penis, according to screen shots in the lawsuit.

While Silk didn’t initially file a complaint for fear she would be ostracized by other officers, she worried his conduct would continue with other young female officers and told another officer about the incidents.

That officer, who was in charge of training Silk after LeMon, wrote a memo to a sergeant Dec. 12, 2023, describing the "inappropriate" conduct, according to the lawsuit. No action was taken.

After that, Silk said she was retaliated against and denied a request to be put on a certain assignment because, she was told, there were rumors she had a sexual relationship with an officer in the same squad.

The lawsuit is requesting a jury trial and unspecified monetary damages.

This story may be updated.

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