Officer Accused of Stealing Evidence Money Designated for Crime Victim’s Family

A police officer is in custody for allegedly stealing evidence from a murder investigation.

The results of a probe into the disappearance of $15,000 from the evidence room at the Hornell Police Department in Steuben County are now public.

The cash was being held in as part of a murder investigation involving Steven Brockway, who was arrested on March 10, 2012.  The money was forfeited by Brockway to the Steuben County District Attorney's Office to pay the medical expenses of Brockway's alleged victim.

On June 18, when the money was not found, New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation officers were asked to conduct an investigation by Police Chief Theodore Murray, Mayor Shawn Hogan, and District Attorney Brooks Baker.

Senior Investigator Mark Procopio headed the investigation.

A grand jury investigation launched in October resulted in the issuance of an arrest warrant for 39-year old Jennifer A. Speed, a Hornell police officer who was serving as senior evidence custodian when the money disappeared.

Hornell is a small town located about fifty-five miles south of Rochester, New York.  Canisteo resident Steven Brockway was arrested in Hornell after allegedly stabbing Fredrick Tigner in March of 2012, then leading police on a chase.  Brockway faced additional charges in relation to this same case, for allegedly tampering with evidence in the case. Money taken from Brockway's home was being stored in the Hornell Police Deparment's evidence room.

Speed was arrested on Friday, December 20th and charged with several felonies including grand larceny, tampering with public records and physical evidence, and falsifying business records.

She is being held without bail at the Steuben County Jail pending a court appearance.