Cavity search trial begins

The victim of an alleged roadside body cavity search by Marysville police testified Tuesday in Yuba County Superior Court on the opening day of one officer's jury trial.

Officer Joshua Hendrickson, who has been on paid administrative leave in connection with the alleged incident six months ago, is charged with a misdemeanor. A jury trial for another officer, Amy Alfred, is scheduled Sept. 23.

Stacy Michelle May said she felt helpless as, handcuffed, she was searched for drugs Jan. 26 on 10th Street east of B Street. Hendrickson had stopped her for not wearing a seat belt.

"He said, 'What did you put down your pants?'" May said.

"I believe he was under the impression I stuck something in my pants," said May, who was on parole, and therefore subject to a search, after a previous drug conviction.

"I didn't feel like I could do anything about the search. There were cops all around me," said May.

Reserve Officer Robert Hess, who was also at the scene, said Hendrickson called Alfred to the scene to search May. Alfred put on rubber gloves to do the search while Hendrickson stood with his back to May, said Hess.

Hess said he did not find the search strange.

When the search was over, Alfred "stuck her finger in my face. I backed away," said Hess.

Alfred walked away and did not help pull up her pants, said May

"Officer Hendrickson helped me button the top button of my pants," she said.

Under cross-examination, May admitted she originally told investigators that, after the search, "I put myself together." May said she had been referring to the other buttons on her pants, not the one Hendrickson fastened.

No drugs were found on her.

About three months later, May was found with methamphetamine when officers took a search warrant to her home in the 1200 block of Sicard Street. She is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 6.

Police Chief Wallace Fullerton said earlier the District Attorney's Office began investigating the incident at the Police Department's request.