Wellington fire chief still on leave, community awaits city manager’s decision
27 February 2024
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (WDAF) — Federal prosecutors have filed a motion to revoke former Kansas City, Kansas, Police Det. Roger Golubski’s pretrial release, arguing he visited a fast food restaurant without permission from his probation officer.
Golubski faces federal charges, including alleged abuses of power going back decades, like conspiring to run a sex-trafficking operation involving underage girls.
He previously pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
The court released Golubski on home detention due to his medical conditions, restricting him to his place of residence at all times except for work, medical or court-related activities outside the house.
Court documents filed Monday say Golubski visited a Culver’s restaurant in KCK on Jan. 23.
A concerned person recognized Golubski from his time as a police officer and was disturbed by his presence in a public restaurant, prosecutors say. The witness took photographs and video capturing Golubski inside the restaurant.
According to the witness, Golubski was with a woman who noticed the witness recording Golubski. After that, Golubski and the woman left the restaurant after she received their food.
Court documents say the woman is believed to be Lorene Stewart. Golubski was released into her custody, and prosecutors say she agreed to notify the court immediately if he ever violated a condition of his release.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office contacted Golubski’s probation officer the next day after civil attorneys brought the photographs and video to its attention. The probation officer stated over the phone, apparently inaccurately, according to court documents, that Golubski was “in compliance with the terms and conditions of his released.”
Court documents said when the government followed up with the probation officer last week; she wrote that “although the defendant had permission to go to his doctor’s officer on Jan. 23, he did not have pre-approval to go to Culver’s restaurant.”
According to the probation officer, Golubski claimed that he stopped at Culver’s to pick up food because his blood sugar was low due to his diabetes.
The probation officer also explained that “she had informed the defendant that he is to go straight to and home from his medical appointments and that he should take snacks and a cup of ice and water with him.”
Court documents say prosecutors asked whether Golubski self-reported his stop or provided his explanation only when confronted about it. As of Monday, federal prosecutors have not received an answer.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office wants Golubski to be arrested or confined to his house 24/7, according to the motion.