Menasha Police Officer Cristian Morales has been arrested in Appleton on suspicion of stalking. (Photo courtesy Outagamie County Jail)
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Menasha police officer Cristian Morales was charged Friday with one count of misconduct in office for allegedly using a license plate recognition system to track his ex-girlfriend.
Morales, 31, made an initial court appearance Friday afternoon, where a $10,000 cash bond was set. Conditions include not accessing Flock camera systems or working as an officer. A preliminary hearing date was not immediately set, but is expected to be held within 10 days.
According to the complaint, Morales’ ex-girlfriend complained he had used the Flock system to monitor her location. A review of Morales’ activity showed he tried to use it five different times for her vehicle in early October.
“Cristian indicated that “desperation, and bad judgment, combined with a lack of sleep”, contributed to his decision to use Flock. He also indicated he knew his decision to use Flock was wrong, but it was out of a pure moment of “desperation and lack of judgment,” the complaint states.
The Menasha Police Department said Morales was placed on administrative leave.
Separately, a civil filing seeking a temporary restraining order in a domestic abuse case was filed against Morales Thursday by an unnamed petitioner. A hearing is set for Jan. 21 in that case.
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