Woman files complaint over search by probation officers
BROWNSVILLE – A Brownsville woman has filed a complaint with borough police about a search of her house by Fayette County probation officers who were looking for her brother. According to police, Carla Holcomb of 325 Shelton Ave. reported that on Dec. 23, probation officers searched her house without a warrant while her brother, Vincent Palmer, was there, and that after the search, $600 of her money was missing.
But, James Williams, an officer involved in the search, countered that because Palmer had not reported to the probation office as required, he was subject to a search without a warrant, and he denied any allegation that anything was removed from the home. Williams added that Palmer listed Holcomb’s residence as his home address.
Holcomb said Palmer had been on probation for retail theft, but insisted the officers had no reason to search her home.
“His probation had nothing to do with me,” said Holcomb. “They searched my house from top to bottom for no reason. They didn’t find anything illegal here, because we don’t have anything illegal here.”
Williams said Palmer had been serving two one-year probation sentences for two drug violation charges.
Williams said that because Palmer was in violation of his probation, officers searched the house.
Williams explained that Palmer had not reported to the probation office in four months, but was required to report monthly. Because he was in violation, he was subject to a search with no warrant, Williams said.
“Vincent Palmer had given us Carla Holcomb’s address as his home address,” said Williams. “The search had nothing to do with her, but since he is living there we searched the house because he was in violation of his probation.”
Tom Bush, the Brownsville police officer who handled the complaint, was not available for comment Tuesday.