KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Former Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department detective Roger Golubski was arrested at his home in Edwardsville, Kansas, by the FBI Thursday.
The arrest comes after a grand jury filed an indictment Wednesday in which he faces six counts of deprivation of civil rights for offenses dating back to at least 1998.
The indictment provides details of incidents of sexual assault, sexual abuse and attempted kidnapping.
He entered a not guilty plea Thursday afternoon.
But if convicted, Golubski faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
In January, KSHB 41 News reported subpoenas sent to the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and KCK asked for an extensive list of investigative files dating back to the late 80s.
Golubski is further accused of exploiting and terrorizing Black residents, which gained the attention of Jay-Z’s group Roc Nation in September 2021.
The group filed a petition looking for records of alleged misconduct at KCKPD but noted they were “heavily redacted and frankly didn’t really reveal any information about how the complaint was handled.”
Further scandal surrounds the wrongful conviction of Lamonte McIntyre.
McIntyre was exonerated in October 2017 after serving 23 years for a 1994 double murder he did not commit.
He says Golubski framed him because his mother refused sexual advances from the detective.
More2, a local social justice organization, has been outspoken about the allegations Golubski faces, hoping to cast a national spotlight to bring about charges to provide closure to victims and their families.
News of the arrest and indictment prompted the group to issue statements of celebration of what they consider to be a "long overdue message" to the community and "a huge step toward justice for victims of Golubski."
"The arrest of Golubski is huge, but our community is still faced with the need for truth and reconciliation in light of all the pain, injustice and evil we have allowed under our watch ...," said More2 board member Rev. Rick Behrens of Grandview Park Presbyterian Church.
Midwest Innocence Project has been heavily involved as well in a quest for justice against Golubski.
"His (Golubski) arrest marks the first step in holding those involved responsible for the harms they have perpetrated,
particularly those against Black women, and we commend the Department of Justice and FBI for their work to begin the process of accountability. This arrest is just a beginning, and we know that true justice demands more," a statement by Midwest Innocence Project read in part.
Thursday morning, the Kansas City Division of the FBI confirmed in a statement that Golubski was "arrested and taken into custody by the FBI without incident at his residence in Edwardsville, Kansas."
However, "no additional information is available for release" at this time, per the FBI.
Later in the day, the Office of the Wyandotte County District Attorney issued a statement, noting the importance of the case's local implications even though it is being pursued federally.
"Since 2017, this office has worked continuously with multiple agencies, including the FBI in an ongoing effort to bring about justice in this matter," a statement from the district attorney read. "It is our hope that today's arrest is the start of the healing and closure process for the affected families who may feel that justice delayed is justice denied. This arrest shows that no one is above the law."
KCKPD Chief Karl Oakman responded on behalf of the department, saying the department will "cooperate and offer any assistance needed by the FBI as this case moves forward. The Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department is committed to building community ties through transparency, integrity, engagement and safety."
And for KCK Mayor Tyrone Garner, the arrest and charges "may bring comfort in the short-term but this is not the end." His full statement can be viewed here.
Indictment inquiries are to be directed to the Kansas City Division of the FBI.
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