LOGAN — The Logan City Police Department has fired officer Miguel Deras after a review determined he mishandled evidence in the Lauren McCluskey case, while employed by the University of Utah. The termination was announced days after an investigation found Wednesday that he and a group of officers made inappropriate comments about explicit photos she had submitted as evidence in an extortion case shortly before her shooting death.
In a press release, Logan City Police Chief Gary Jensen said “Deras, a probationary employee, was released from employment after a thorough internal review of the recently completed Department of Public Safety investigation.” The termination was effective immediately.
Deras is originally from Logan. He initially worked for the Logan Police Department, as an animal control officer, while attending the police academy. Upon graduation, he moved to Salt Lake.
In September 2019, Deras was interviewed and re-hired by the Logan police department. He later accepted a position as a patrol officer.
At the time Deras rejoined the department, Jensen said the choice to offer a job to the former animal control officer came after an in-depth investigation determined Deras had done nothing wrong.
In May, Jensen launched an internal investigation into Deras after allegations surfaced that he had saved the images of McCluskey to his personal cellphone. He later showed off the images to other officers before her 2018 slaying.
In Friday’s press release, Jensen explained the conclusions drawn in the DPS report are inconsistent with the high expectations and standards placed upon officers by the community and the department. He said, “Our continuing efforts to hold sacred the public’s trust and our duty to serve and protect has resulted in [Friday’s] decision.”
A lawyer for Deras says he showed the photos in a professional setting and denies making inappropriate remarks.
will@cvradio.com
Why is there a picture of the victim and not the creep who kept evidence of a murder victim for “personal use”? I’m sure shes more attractive then the loser that leered at her but this is shameful. I mean that IS what we are talking about. Leering inaproriately at murder victims. So why did this article continue on that path and continue to victimize this girl, while leaving the dirt bag officer faceless? Seems like you had a chance to do right by a girl who the police department sexualy violated and you instead doubled down. Put that small souled monster up here instead.
Also if they were in a professional setting why did he need to show them from his personal cell phone? Don’t we pay out the nose for them to have fancy cop equipment and they have to snap the dirty photos of murder victim to leer at on their PERSONAL CELL PHONES? Thats the professional service your money goes towards. Ahh fancy.
So, the Chief thought HIRING this GOON was OK, until it hit the NATIONAL NEWS, and THEN he fired him. The RECYCLING of BAD COPS needs to STOP…..
Am I right in thinking they have got to stop bringing this case up in the news and on media?yes it makes me very sad and I have born witness to what happened to her but it’s hard to keep seeing her sweet beautifull blue eyes and pretty face because it’s heartbreaking.can we not just let her rest?yes I agree they should have shown his face instead.
Let’s not forget the fact that Lauren McCluskey is dead because the police did nothing at all when she went to them for protection. Now we know what they were busy doing instead.