Detroit Cop Suspended After Sending Himself Nudes From Suspect's Phone

The officer allegedly sent himself 11 explicit images and videos from the woman's phone during an arrest.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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A Detroit police officer has been suspended from duty after prosecutors allege he sent himself 11 explicit images and videos from the phone of a woman he had arrested during a traffic stop. The officer, Derond Martez Crawford, is accused of accessing the woman's phone without justification and then sending the private content to his own device.

Why it matters

This case raises concerns about abuse of power and invasion of privacy by law enforcement officers, as well as the need for stronger policies and oversight to prevent such incidents. It also highlights the vulnerability of individuals who are arrested, as their personal information and content can potentially be misused by the very officers tasked with upholding the law.

The details

According to court documents, Crawford and his partner conducted a traffic stop involving a woman who was driving a vehicle without insurance. During the stop, officers learned the woman had a probation violation warrant and decided to take her to the Detroit Detention Center. Crawford took the woman's cellphone from the vehicle before she was transferred to the jail. He then went through the woman's phone and sent himself text messages with self-shot adult content attached. The woman later discovered the messages and filed a complaint with the Detroit Police.

  • On March 3, 2026, Crawford allegedly sent himself 11 explicit images and videos from the woman's phone during her arrest.
  • On March 4, 2026, Crawford allegedly went to the woman's home while off duty but still in uniform and asked her neighbors about her whereabouts.
  • On March 6, 2026, Crawford appeared in court as a defendant, accused of sending himself the explicit content from the woman's phone.

The players

Derond Martez Crawford

A 34-year-old Detroit police officer who was suspended from duty after allegedly sending himself 11 explicit images and videos from a woman's phone during her arrest.

Kym Worthy

The Wayne County Prosecutor, who stated that Crawford did not have an 'articulable reason' to look in the woman's phone for anything other than her mother's phone number, and that the steps he took after that intrusion were 'completely inappropriate'.

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What they’re saying

“And the steps he took after that intrusion were completely inappropriate.”

— Kym Worthy, Wayne County Prosecutor (usmagazine.com)

What’s next

Crawford has been ordered to have no contact with the victim or any of the witnesses in his case. He is under house arrest and was fitted with a GPS ankle monitor. The investigation is ongoing, and the findings will be submitted to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office for review.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for stronger policies and oversight to prevent law enforcement officers from abusing their power and violating the privacy of individuals they encounter. It underscores the vulnerability of those who are arrested and the importance of holding officers accountable for any misuse of their authority.