The purpose to protect and serve the public? To bring justice and equality to their communities? To safeguard our children?
None of the above.
Within one month, all four were arrested, charged or pleaded guilty in connection with child sexual abuse:
Minnesota State Senator Justin Eichorn was arrested in an underage sex sting after attempting to solicit sex from what he thought was a 17-year-old girl (actually an undercover officer).
Former New York City Councilman Dan Halloran was arrested at Miami International Airport for possessing as many as 1,000 videos of child sexual abuse in a hidden folder on his phone.
Webster County Nebraska Sheriff’s Deputy Zachary Pohlmeier faces felony charges after child pornography was allegedly found on his phone.
And former El Paso County Colorado Deputy District Attorney David McConkie pleaded guilty to attempted child sexual assault, admitting to inappropriately touching a 10- to 11-year-old girl.
A phrase from McConkie’s charge says it all: “...by one in a position of trust.”
One assumes these individuals began their careers intending to serve faithfully, excel in their roles and inspire young people to follow their example.
They are, after all, in “positions of trust.” Witness:
- Minnesota State Senate Standards of Ethical Conduct: “Members must adhere to the highest standard of ethical conduct.” Minnesota State Senator Eichorn, whose website lists him as a member of the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, now faces federal charges of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. The Bloomington PD and other agencies posted prostitution ads on several websites, prompting Eichorn to text an undercover officer posing as a teen girl to inquire about her rates and availability. His “Meet Senator Eichorn” bio begins: “Senator Justin Eichorn and his wife, Brittany, live in Grand Rapids with their four children William, Benji, Bella and Emmett.” His wife filed for divorce upon his arrest.
New York City Council: “We spend a great deal of time in each of our districts, ensuring your needs are being met and your voice is being heard.” Former New York City Councilman Dan Halloran, now in custody on two federal child pornography charges, admitted to “knowingly” hiding videos of prepubescent girls being victimized on his cellphone. They comprised, according to Halloran, about “two-thirds to three-quarters” of the 1,362 videos in the hidden file. Halloran, no stranger to slime, lost his City Hall job 11 years ago after a bribery and election-rigging conviction. This time around, he is again assigned his inmate number 68384-054, which he wore while serving five years of a 10-year federal prison term.
Webster County, Nebraska Sheriff’s Office: “It is the duty of the sheriff to keep the peace, apprehend criminals and perform other duties as a peace officer.” Webster County’s now-former Deputy Sheriff Zach Pohlmeier, according to court filings, “did knowingly possess a visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct which had a child as one of its participants.” He was fired from his law enforcement job the morning after the allegations surfaced against him. Currently held at the Adams County Jail, he faces five counts of possession of a visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct, which is a felony that carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
El Paso County, Colorado Office of the District Attorney: “The District Attorney’s Office is charged with upholding our constitutionally protected rights while diligently pursuing justice on behalf of victims and the entire community.” Former El Paso County Colorado Deputy District Attorney David McConkie had, according to arrest papers, engaged in repeated inappropriate touching of one victim over several years from infancy, lasting at least until the victim was a pre-teen. He was charged with sexual assault in 2023. The allegations encompass multiple incidents until 2013. McConkie was a prosecutor for El Paso and Teller Counties from 2008 to 2011. In other words, as McConkie was “upholding our constitutionally protected rights while diligently pursuing justice on behalf of victims” during office hours, he was betraying those very ideals the rest of the time. He, too, was relieved of his duties—in this case, a law firm where he was working as a private practice attorney—at the time of his arrest.
If the judge accepts McConkie’s plea deal filed April 4, he would be back on the streets, no prison time, on five years’ probation, as a registered sex offender. Under the deal, McConkie would agree to plead guilty to the lesser charge of one count of criminal attempt to commit sexual assault on a child (as opposed to the original charge: sexual assault on a child).
If the judge rejects the plea deal, McConkie may stand trial.
He admits to inappropriately touching a 10- to 11-year-old girl, conceding only that, “I could have removed my hand sooner.”
Like his hand—and like all sex offenders who betray public trust—McConkie himself should have been removed much sooner.
