Authorities in Maryland have identified a Prince George's County police officer caught kissing a woman on camera and taking her into the back of his patrol vehicle while in uniform. Corporal Francesco Marlett was allegedly involved in an extramarital affair with the woman. The officer's estranged wife, Paula Marlett, identified the woman in the video as Virginia Pinto and called out the couple's actions on social media.
The video of Francesco Marlett and Pinto went viral, with many wondering what was going on and why the officer was acting so affectionately toward the woman in such a public place. Although Francesco Marlett has stayed quiet, Paula Marlett and Pinto have blasted one another on Facebook and to media outlets, and the situation is ugly.
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Officer Marlett and Pinto reportedly got cozy in his cruiser.
Although the viral video is less than a minute long, the encounter allegedly lasted nearly an hour, a witness told the Baltimore Banner. The man who filmed the video, identified by the Banner only as Nelson O, said he was at Oxon Hill's Carson Park Sunday evening playing soccer with his family when he noticed Marlett and Pinto acting "suspiciously."
"It was concerning because there's kids around," he told the newspaper. "It just seemed off because this is the person that you're supposed to call for suspicious activity doing the suspicious activity, you know."
Nelson O uploaded the video to a family member's TikTok account, where it blew up.
The couple was quickly identified.
Paula Marlett took to Facebook to call out her husband and Pinto. She shared the video but then asked for privacy.
"Thank you everyone. Yes this is a very tough time for me and my kids. As embarrassing and painful as this is please check in on us. We need the support the love and most of all the respect from the community and our families. Yes I know what's been going on. No, I am not updating anyone on this situation after today."
Her post went on to allege Pinto's husband left her because of a different affair, and she told the woman to "rot in hell."
Pinto defended herself.
The alleged mistress posted a rebuttal on Facebook sharing that she didn't owe anyone an explanation and accused Paula Marlett of cheating on her husband herself. She also spoke to the New York Post to clear her name.
"In my head, I've done nothing wrong. I'm going to continue living my life, doing what I'm doing," she said. "In my heart, in his heart, I know that I've done nothing. He knows. Paula knows. I've done nothing wrong. God is my higher power."
Paula Marlett also texted the newspaper, writing, “Seems like Virginia has a mouthful to give about me when her husband left her dirty a– bc she can’t stop cheating and inserting herself into other ppls business. My husband used her for sex bc she was easy … I never put our marriage out there bc like all marriages we hit a rough patch. We get through everything at the end of the day."
Prince George Police quickly suspended Marlett.
The department wasted no time launching an investigation into the affair. Police posted on Facebook that the internal affairs division acted as soon as it learned about the videos. Police Chief Malik Aziz suspended the officer immediately.
"I know the officer's actions seen on these videos have sparked a range of emotions in the community and put a negative spotlight on this agency and the many hard-working women and men who wear our uniform. I expect every officer to conduct themselves in a way that will not dishonor this agency or this county. I assure the residents of Prince George's County I take this matter extremely seriously," Aziz shared.
The department also addressed a previous situation with Francesco Marlett from 2016 when he was suspended for "sustained administrative charges of unbecoming conduct/child abuse and unbecoming conduct/assault second degree."
The Banner reported that Francesco Marlett allegedly spanked his girlfriend's 3-year-old for soiling the bed. He reportedly struck the child so hard that he hit his head on the wall and lost consciousness.
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Social media can't get enough of the alleged affair.
The original viral video reached 2.4 million views, spawning hundreds of stitches on TikTok and reaction videos. People are shocked at the officer's seemingly brazen behavior. Nearly 6,500 TikTokers commented on the video.
"He doesn't even seem to think it matters that children or adults around and it's daylight even," someone pointed out.
Plenty of people agreed.
"That's really bold and with kids and people around . He should be fired "
"Should have dialed 911 and give them the location and say he is in the back wrestling a suspect and needs help. ! The whole county would have showed," one TikToker suggested.
In a day and age when everyone has a camera in their pocket, as this person pointed out, "Someone is always watching."
