Retired UHP trooper charged with wrongfully appropriating equipment

SALT LAKE CITY — A retired Utah Highway Patrol trooper honored in January as the agency's longest serving member has been charged with wrongfully appropriating law enforcement equipment.

Martin Luther Turner, 65, is accused of giving a radar gun and a Taser belonging to UHP to a reserve officer working with the West Bountiful Police Department, according to charges filed Wednesday in 3rd District Court.

The officer reported that Turner made no attempt to reclaim the items in order to turn them in when he retired, charges state.

Turner told police he gave away the LIDAR and Taser guns without permission or documentation, and that he never attempted to reclaim the items, according to the charges. The Taser had been sent back to the manufacturer for maintenance, and its replacement was issued to West Bountiful, the charges state.

Turner told police he "hoarded a large quantity of UHP equipment" and commented that UHP does not maintain a thorough inventory, charges state.

The charge is a class A misdemeanor. 

Turner worked with UHP for 34 years. At his retirement, colleagues commented on his work ethic.

— McKenzie Romero

Twitter: @McKenzieRomero