FUGITIVE FIREFIGHTER
Trenton man accused of sex assault a no-show at court hearing
MOUNT HOLLY >> Leonard Davis has some fires to put out in his personal life.
The veteran Trenton firefighter is a fugitive from justice after he was a no-show for court this week, court officials said.
Leonard S. Davis, 47, of Trenton, allegedly sexually assaulted a victim at the Hilton Garden Inn on Atrium Way in Mount Laurel on Feb. 28, Burlington County prosecutors announced last month. He was arrested on March 16, charged with seconddegree sexual assault and was released after posting $1,000 of a $10,000 bail.
Davis was scheduled to appear Monday before Judge Christopher Garrenger in Mount Holly, but he failed to show, according to court records and Burlington officials. His bail was revoked and a warrant was issued for his arrest, officials said.
The firefighter’s attorney, Christopher Baxter, did not immediately respond Wednesday to a message left for him at his office.
Prosecutors have released little information about alleged sexual assault. Kathleen Grahn and Steve Bodnar are listed as the Burlington prosecutors handing the case, according to online court records. Online court records show Davis was charged March 15 with a single count of sexual assault by use of force.
The firefighter has yet to be indicted on the charges.
The Trentonian requested the police report of the incident under the state’s Open Public Records Act but the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office refused to release it because it was a criminal investigative document.
The Trentonian also tried to get ahold of Davis’ criminal complaint at Burlington County criminal court, but officials said it would take weeks to process the records request. Court appearances are routinely recorded but Burlington court officials said that Davis’ first appearance was not recorded.
Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office spokesman Joel Bewley said Wednesday
that the judge ordered the criminal complaint and probable cause affidavit sealed because it involves allegations of domestic violence.
The victim’s name is also being withheld by prosecutors, and The Trentonian does not typically identify victims of sexual abuse.
Earlier this week, Davis was suspended with pay after a personnel hearing was held on the matter, according to a city official who spoke on the condition on anonymity because the individual was not authorized to speak on the matter. Numerous sources have told
The Trentonian that Davis failed to notify the city after he was charged with sexual assault.
Trenton Fire Director Qareeb Bashir did not return a message seeking comment.
Davis was believed to still be at large as of 4 p.m. Wednesday. About that same time, the Burlington County Sheriff’s Office said it could not immediately provide information whether Davis had been arrested or if he was still wanted.
Davis joined the Trenton Fire Department in 1994 and earned a salary of $99,386 in 2015, online records show.