Former Police Officer Justifies Actions After Jury Clears Him Of Wrongdoing

Young, the former Fayetteville police officer who was charged with rape, kidnapping and sexual offense, was found not guilty at his first trial. He says it was unacceptable to have sex with three women while he was on patrol.

"It shouldn't have happened. I don't know what I was thinking," he says. "Believe me, I've said it 100 times. It was a stupid thing to do, but it wasn't kidnapping or rape."

The jury thought the same way. For the first time in 2 1/2 years, the 27-year-old is sitting somewhere other than jail.

Young says exchanging sex for not pressing charges was unethical. The former Fayetteville police officer says he knows it was morally wrong.

"I went on the stand and took responsibility for what I did," he says.

During training, the Fayetteville Police Department specifically addresses how lust can get you in trouble. Because of incidents like Young's in the past three years, a nationwide teaching emphasis has been placed on integrity in uniform.

Josh Phillips, a training supervisor for the Fayetteville Police Department, recently had an article published on truth in law enforcement.

"In policing, you are faced with more challenges, more temptations in this career than others in the work force," he says.

Young says he is now trying to reconcile with his wife and daughter. He still faces charges in connection with two other women. His attorney now hopes those charges will be dropped.