TOPEKA, Kansas – Roger Golubski, a former Kansas City detective facing serious accusations of sexually assaulting Black women, has died, prosecutors confirmed as his federal trial was about to begin on Monday. The prosecutors didn’t share how or when the 71-year-old passed away.
Golubski was charged with six counts of violating women’s civil rights. His lawyer, Christopher Joseph, revealed that his client had been distressed by the media coverage surrounding the case but didn’t provide further details.
This development comes as the community, outraged by the accusations, awaited a trial they hoped would bring justice to victims who say they were harmed by the ex-detective during his time on the force.
The Accusations
Golubski, once a respected figure in Kansas City’s police department, is accused of abusing his position of power for years. Prosecutors allege he preyed on vulnerable women in poor neighborhoods, demanding sexual favors and threatening to harm their loved ones if they didn’t comply. Two women’s stories form the core of the case, but at least seven others are expected to testify about his abusive behavior.
One woman alleges Golubski began assaulting her when she was barely a teenager, while another claims he targeted her after her sons were arrested. Both women say they lived in fear of him for years. If convicted, Golubski could have spent the rest of his life in prison.
Community Rallying for Justice
Outside the federal courthouse in Topeka, about 50 people gathered in freezing temperatures to support the women. They held signs reading “Justice now!” and chanted in solidarity with the survivors. Many of these supporters are part of advocacy groups working to expose injustices, including the Midwest Innocence Project, which has helped free wrongfully convicted individuals in the past.
One woman, Laquanda Jacobs, a former prisoner whose conviction was overturned thanks to the Midwest Innocence Project, expressed how deeply these allegations have shaken the community. “Our emotions are everywhere,” she said while waiting to board a bus from Kansas City to Topeka with other advocates.
A Dark History
Golubski worked in Kansas City, Kansas, for over 35 years and was known for solving cases. But his methods have come under intense scrutiny. Investigations into his past have led the local prosecutor’s office to spend $1.7 million reviewing cases he handled. One case, involving a double murder, has already resulted in an exoneration.
The trial was expected to shed light on Golubski’s dark legacy, with testimonies that he manipulated vulnerable women, threatening them into submission. Jermeka Hobbs, who filed a lawsuit against him, described the psychological scars she still carries. “I’m always looking over my shoulder,” she said, explaining how Golubski’s threats left her in constant fear.
A Pattern of Misconduct
Even within the Kansas City police department, Golubski’s behavior raised eyebrows. Former officer Max Seifert recalls hearing complaints about him soliciting prostitutes and even being caught having sex in his office. Seifert, who graduated from the police academy alongside Golubski, said misconduct in the department was often brushed off with a “boys will be boys” attitude.
But the stories about Golubski weren’t just whispers. They were part of a broader culture of corruption that allowed officers like him to abuse their power without accountability.
A Trail of Broken Lives
The case against Golubski is tied to the wrongful conviction of Lamonte McIntyre, who was arrested in 1994 for a double homicide at just 17 years old. McIntyre’s conviction, based on flimsy evidence, was overturned in 2017. His mother has long believed that her refusal to give in to Golubski’s sexual advances led to her son’s wrongful imprisonment.
In 2022, the local government paid $12.5 million to settle a lawsuit filed by McIntyre and his mother, while the state paid McIntyre an additional $1.5 million. Golubski, however, invoked his Fifth Amendment right over 500 times during a deposition, refusing to answer questions.
Women Speak Out
The stories of the women accusing Golubski are chilling. Prosecutors say he once drove a young girl to a cemetery and told her to choose a spot for her grave before sexually assaulting her. Another time, he allegedly forced her to crawl on the ground with a dog leash around her neck, taunting her with cruel rhymes.
For another woman, Ophelia Williams, Golubski’s abuse began after her teenage sons were arrested. She claims he alternated between assaulting her and promising to help her family. Williams, who has spoken publicly about her ordeal, says she was terrified to report him. When she once mentioned filing a complaint, Golubski allegedly replied, “Report me to who? I am the police.”
Seeking Justice
While Golubski’s death means the trial will not proceed, the community’s fight for justice continues. His alleged victims and their advocates hope the spotlight on his actions will lead to systemic changes in how police misconduct is addressed and ensure no officer can abuse their power with impunity again.
For the women and families affected, this is about more than one man—it’s about breaking a cycle of abuse and fear that has gripped their community for decades.
