A former North County Police Cooperative officer made a shocking admission in federal court this Monday. Marcellis Blackwell, 36, pleaded guilty to 18 counts of deprivation of rights under color of law, a move that came just moments before he was set to face trial.
The details revealed in court were truly disturbing. Prosecutors laid out a pattern of abuse, alleging that Blackwell would turn off his official bodycam before using his own personal cell phone to record himself molesting victims—the majority of whom were handcuffed—inside his police vehicle.
The investigation first kicked off on June 4, 2023, when one of the victims reached out to the NCPC. As more victims bravely came forward, the FBI stepped in to take over the case. Authorities eventually tracked down the incriminating videos stored on Blackwell’s Google Drive. Prosecutors noted that the officer would often transport 15 of his victims to secluded locations, including a high school and the rear parking lot of the NCPC, to carry out the crimes.
While Blackwell acknowledged his guilt in the courtroom, he chose not to speak further. U.S. Attorney Thomas Albus addressed the gravity of the situation after the hearing, stating, “Sad day in a lot of ways.”
He continued, “Frankly disgusting conduct you heard recounted to Judge Lanahan, that Mr. Blackwell did accept responsibility for. We think of the victims today. They were in a particularly vulnerable situation.”
Had the case proceeded to trial, the graphic cell phone footage would have been presented to a jury. Now, Blackwell is facing a recommended sentence of 30 years in federal prison.