Pubdate: Thu, 20 Dec 2012 Source: Dallas Morning News (TX) Copyright: 2012 The Dallas Morning News, Inc. Contact: http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/send-a-letter/ Website: http://www.dallasnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/117 Author: Tasha Tsiaperas TROOPER SUSPENDED OVER SEARCH COMPLAINT A state trooper criticized for conducting body cavity searches of two Irving women during a traffic stop has been placed on paid suspension. The two women have filed a federal lawsuit against trooper Kelley Helleson and another trooper, as well as the head of the state Department of Public Safety. The lawsuit accuses Helleson of using her fingers to conduct cavity searches - using the same latex gloves - on both women in July on State Highway 161. The women were searched for illegal drugs after the other trooper stopped them for throwing cigarette butts out of their car. No drugs were found. The Dallas County district attorney's public integrity division is investigating the case, which will go before a grand jury in January. Helleson will remain suspended during the investigation, DPS spokesman Tom Vinger said. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom