Las Vegas NowNorth Vegas Cop Arrested in Traffic Lewdness Case

North Vegas Cop Arrested in Traffic Lewdness Case

A North Las Vegas Police Officer is under arrest and facing seven felony counts. He's charged with using the power of his badge to solicit sexual favors from women in exchange for dropping speeding tickets.

This is a case which North Las Vegas police say they have been investigating for several months. It involves at least five victims, all women, and police say there could be more.

Three year department veteran Officer James Clayton was taken into custody Tuesday morning at a police substation by North Las Vegas Police Investigators. According to court documents, Officer Clayton would pull over women and then, in most cases, suggest sexual acts in exchange for disposing of their speeding tickets.

In one case, Clayton allegedly exposed himself.

The documents also say Clayton was very persistent, asking for phone numbers, following the alleged victims, and even calling one 20 times in just three days.

North Las Vegas Police say no matter what the outcome of this case, it is a black eye for the department.

"We want to make sure that everyone knows that we hold our police officers to a very high standard and this behavior that is alleged here is totally unacceptable. I don't know whether Mr. Clayton is guilty of these charges, but I do know people in North Las Vegas can still rely on their police officers to come and treat them fairly," said North Las Vegas Police Sgt. Tim Bedwell.

All the crimes allegedly occurred between March 27 and July 26, 2008 mostly in the overnight and early morning hours.

Officer Clayton has been on paid administrative leave since July 29, 2008 while this investigation has been ongoing.

Court documents do not list the name of Officer Clayton's attorney. He will make his first appearance before a judge in North Las Vegas Wednesday morning.