Former Corrections Officer Pleads Guilty to Bribery Charge www.privateofficer.com

 

WASHINGTON DC June 18 2013 —Jonathan Womble, 36, a former corrections officer at the District of Columbia Jail, pled guilty today to a federal charge of conspiracy to commit bribery for accepting $400 in cash in return for smuggling drugs and other contraband into the facility, announced U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen, Jr. and Valerie Parlave, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office.
Womble pled guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The Honorable Reggie B. Walton ordered him detained pending sentencing on September 13, 2013. The charge carries a statutory maximum of five years in prison and financial penalties.
According to the government’s evidence, the FBI received information in January 2013 that a corrections officer was providing narcotics and other contraband to an inmate at the D.C. Jail. An investigation revealed that the inmate was working with co-conspirators outside the jail to assemble, deliver, receive, and distribute narcotics intended for inmates at the jail and that they were paying an individual to get the drugs into the facility.
On January 27, 2013, Womble met with one of the co-conspirators in the parking lot of a carry-out restaurant in the District of Columbia. The co-conspirator gave Womble a plastic bag, which contained a powdery substance consistent with heroin and marijuana. The bag also contained a cell phone, cell phone charger, and $400 in cash. Womble understood that the cash was in exchange for him getting the drugs, cell phone, and charger to the inmate in the jail. Two days later, he smuggled the items into the jail and provided them to the inmate.
Plans were subsequently made for another delivery of contraband. However, on February 12, 2013, multiple bags of marijuana were discovered and intercepted inside Womble’s locker at the jail by the District of Columbia Department of Corrections and one of its K-9 dogs. The marijuana had been provided to Womble by a person who wanted it delivered to another inmate.
In announcing the guilty plea, U.S. Attorney Machen and Assistant Director in Charge Parlave commended the work of the three agencies who jointly worked the case, including agents from the FBI’s Washington Field Office, an FBI task force officer from Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and investigators from the District of Columbia Department of Corrections Office of Investigative Services. Finally, they commended the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Lenisse Edloe, Legal Assistant Angela Lawrence, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard E. DiZinno and Christopher R. Kavanaugh, who are prosecuting the case.

Garland County Sheriff’s Deputy Arrested and Charged with Prostitution Offense www.privateofficer.com

 

HOT SPRINGS, AR June 18 2013—Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, and Randall C. Coleman, FBI Special Agent in Charge, announced that Garland County Sheriff’s Deputy Neil Parliment was arrested yesterday, June 13, on a federal warrant for enticing an individual to engage in prostitution. Parliment is a marine patrol officer with the Garland County Sheriff’s Office.
United States Attorney Eldridge commented, “As stated in the complaint, this case involves serious allegations of activity by a sheriff’s deputy involving prostitution. This case indicates that we will investigate and prosecute such criminal activity, including when those in positions of public trust violate that trust by engaging in criminal activity.”
“Last night’s arrest is a result of the dedicated efforts of our Denied Innocence Task Force,” stated Agent Coleman. “The charge against the officer in this case—involving enticing a person across state lines for prostitution—is a serious one that our task force is committed to aggressively investigating.”
As charged in the complaint, from January to June 2013, Parliment arranged for and facilitated the travel of a prostitute working out of Memphis to come to Hot Springs for the purposes of exchanging sexual activity for money. Over the course of the investigation, it was discovered that Parliament had not only engaged the services of the prostitute himself but also facilitated meetings and introductions between the prostitute and others for sexual activity.
If convicted, Parliament faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
This case was investigated by the FBI Denied Innocence Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Dustin Roberts is prosecuting the case for the United States.
The charges in a complaint are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless or until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Ex-Alabama police officer found guilty of arson www.privateofficer.com

 

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. June 15 2013 (AP) — An ex-Birmingham police officer has been found guilty in a series of arsons at more than a dozen vacant buildings.

Curtis Thornton appeared in court Thursday and a jury deliberated for just more than two hours before delivering the verdict. His sentencing is scheduled for July 25.

Thornton was charged with arson, attempted arson and criminal mischief in 2012 blazes in Birmingham and Warrior, which is just north of Birmingham.

A second Birmingham police officer, 36-year-old Jason Arnold, and 48-year-old Anthony Weaver are also accused in the fires. Weaver’s trial is scheduled to begin June 17 and Arnold’s has been set for Oct. 7

Arlington Police Officer Charged with Unlawfully Providing Law Enforcement Sensitive Information www.privateofficer.com

 

U.S. Attorney’s Office
Press Release

DALLAS TX June 14 2013—Thomas S. Kantzos, 45, of Fort Worth, Texas, an officer with the Arlington Police Department (APD), was arrested last night on a federal criminal complaint charging him with unlawfully providing law enforcement sensitive information by exceeding authorized access to a protected computer. He will make his initial appearance in federal court this afternoon, at 2:00 p.m., before U.S. Magistrate Paul D. Stickney. Today’s announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña of the Northern District of Texas.
According to the affidavit filed with the criminal complaint, a particular individual (witness), who was arrested in January 2013 for distributing anabolic steroids, a Scheduled III controlled substance, admitted to routinely using and distributing anabolic steroids and human growth hormones (HGH) during the last 13 years. This witness also admitted that during the last five or six years, he directly and regularly provided anabolic steroids and HGH to Kantzos, whom he knew to be an officer with the APD. In fact, on at least one occasion, this witness delivered approximately 20 HGH kits to Kantzos while Kantzos was on duty, wearing an APD uniform, and driving a marked APD patrol car.
The affidavit further notes that on multiple occasions, Kantzos solicited anabolic steroids from this witness for himself and for others, including friends and colleagues in the APD. Kantzos allegedly collected money from the other individuals before he obtained the steroids, but on some occasions, he “fronted” the money for the purchases. According to the affidavit, most of the anabolic steroids and HGH he obtained from this witness were provided to other officers of the APD. Also, Kantzos allegedly put this witness in contact with two other APD officers so that they could obtain anabolic steroids directly.
Kantzos was authorized to access law enforcement information obtained through the Texas Crime Information Center (TCIC) and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), and he received specialized training on the authorized uses of the information, as well as the potential penalties for the misuse of such information. Personal use of such information, including releasing information to members of the general public, is not authorized and violates APD policy.
On several occasions, according to the affidavit, this witness, who indicated he was concerned that police might be watching his activities, asked Kantzos to query a name or a license plate using a law enforcement database. On several occasions, Kantzos did this, or had someone else do it for him, and then provided the obtained sensitive information to the witness. In fact, on one occasion in December 2011, Kantzos provided the name of a person who was known to be a law enforcement officer and, based on that information, the witness inspected his/her vehicle and discovered a tracking device attached to it. The investigation revealed that this witness immediately began “laying low” for several weeks. During that time, however, the witness and Kantzos talked about the tracking device and the police surveillance of the witness.
A federal complaint is a written statement of the essential facts of the offense charged and must be made under oath before a magistrate judge. A defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has 30 days to present the matter to a grand jury for indictment. Kantzos is charged with exceeding authorized access to a protected computer. That offense, as charged, carries a maximum statutory penalty 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine, per count.
The matter is being investigated by the FBI and the Texas Ranger Division of the Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Penley and Deputy Criminal Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Tromblay are in charge of the prosecution.

Chesterfield Va. police officer charged with felony embezzlement www.privateofficer.com

PRESS RELEASE

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, VA June 12 2013– Chesterfield County Police have arrested and charged a Chesterfield County Police Department employee with felony embezzlement.
On Feb. 10, 2013, while on duty, Officer First Class Joshua J. Hill responded to a call for service. During this call for service, Hill came into possession of jewelry belonging to an individual who was taken to a local hospital for treatment. After keeping the jewelry for a period of time, Hill sold it and kept the proceeds.

Police became aware of the situation on June 4, when a friend of the individual’s family attempted to recover the jewelry. Police immediately began an investigation.
On June 10, Hill, 34, was arrested and charged with felony embezzlement. The property has been recovered and police are making arrangements to return it to its rightful owner.

Hill is set to appear in Chesterfield County General District Court on Thursday, June 13, at 10:30 a.m.
Pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings, the Chesterfield County Police Department has placed Hill on administrative leave, in accordance with department policy.

“We are deeply saddened and embarrassed by the actions of this officer,” Col. Thierry Dupuis said Tuesday. “We want members of this community to know that we deal with matters such as this head on. We hold ourselves accountable and will do what it takes to regain and maintain the public trust.”

NJ officer facing murder charges in road rage shooting www.privateofficer.com

 

EASTAMPTON, N.J. – June 11, 2013 — A New Jersey police officer from Burlington County is facing second degree murder charges stemming from a road rage shooting in Millersville, Maryland. On a ramp near Interstate 97, just outside of Annapolis, Maryland, state police say road rage led to murder. Police say off duty law enforcement officer 40-year-old Joseph Walker opened fire killing a man. Walker is a detective for the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office in North Jersey but he lives on Cambridge Court in Eastampton, Burlington County.
Many of his neighbors know him well.  “Not Joe, anybody but Joe. It’s just something that you would never see in him. It’s hard to believe it, it’s just shocking,” said Wayne Stevenson, neighbor.  Walker was in a minivan with his wife and three small children in Anne Arundel County around 8:30 Saturday night. Investigators say Walker followed the other driver, 36-year-old Joseph Harvey of Halethorpe, Maryland.  Both men pulled over and the victim jumped out. State police say Harvey reportedly approached Walker’s van in an aggressive manner, prompting Walker to shout out that he was a police officer, before firing his 45 glock. Harvey was struck and killed.  “I spent 22 years in corrections so I’m not surprised at human behavior so it could happen. It happens to the best of people, happens to the worst of people,” said Ron Brown, neighbor.  “The guy has a great outlook, very professional, very friendly. I mean, as a professional, the man seems as if he knows his job, I mean he knows the law,” said Tom Mills, friend.  The stress of the incident apparently caused Walker to have chest pains. He was checked out at the hospital before troopers hauled him off to jail and charged him with second degree murder and manslaughter.  “If you stop and pull over, you’re not going to talk. You know something is going to happen and it’s not going to be nice so road rage – let it go, keep moving,” said Mills.  Neighbors say Officer Walker has been with the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office for as long as they’ve known him and he’s lived on their street for about five years. He is being held on $1 million bail.
Source- ABC

Former Reserve Deputy Constable Convicted for Aiding Cocaine Load www.privateofficer.com

 

HOUSTON TX June 11 2013 —Tomas Roque, a former reserve deputy constable with Harris County Precinct 6, has entered a plea of guilty to one violation of the Hobbs Act, or extortion under color of official right, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today.

Roque, of Houston, was arrested January 16, 2013, following the return of an indictment January 8, 2013.

As part of his plea today, Roque admitted he obtained approximately $2,000 in exchange for providing protection for a vehicle he believed was transporting seven kilograms of cocaine.

According to the plea agreement, a confidential source had asked Roque if he would provide protection for narcotics. On December 6, 2012, Roque—then a Precinct 6 constable in Harris County—arrived in uniform to provide the escort in his official capacity as a law enforcement officer. Seven kilograms of cocaine were located in the truck of the source that Roque had escorted to another location.

Afterwards, the source paid Roque $2,000 for his service. U.S. District Judge Vanessa Gilmore, who accepted the guilty plea, has set sentencing for September 16, 2013, at which time Roque faces up to 20 years in prison and a possible $250,000 fine.

He was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing. The combined public corruption task force effort was conducted by the FBI, Texas Rangers, and Houston Police Department. Homeland Security Investigations and the Harris County Precinct 6 Constable’s Office assisted the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James McAlister

Nassau County school resource officer arrested www.privateofficer.com

NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. June 10 2013 — A Nassau County Sheriff’s Office school resource officer is facing charges, accused of Sexual Battery and Lewd and lascivious Behavior with a Minor.

The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office tells Action News Alan Manchester was arrested Friday. He is currently serving as a school resource officer at Yulee High School.

The Sheriff’s Office says the charges are connected to an incident that happened 10 years ago. It also says Manchester was not working at the school at the time of the alleged event.

Manchester has been suspended without pay.

The State Attorney’s Office is leading the investigation.

source-actionnewsjax.com

3 SC prison workers arrested on inmate sex charges www.privateofficer.com

 

KERSHAW, S.C. June 8 2013— Three employees at a medium-security South Carolina men’s prison have been fired after their arrests on charges of sexual misconduct with inmates.
The Department of Corrections says three workers at Kershaw Correctional Institution were fired Tuesday, several days after turning themselves in to Lancaster County authorities.
Corrections spokesman Clark Newsom says 56-year-old Crystal C. Haynes and 55-year-old Charthenia B. Smith are charged with first-degree sexual misconduct with an inmate of a correctional facility. Fifty-three-year-old Darcy A. Meade is charged with second-degree sexual misconduct with an inmate.
Newsom says in investigation by the Corrections Department’s Inspector General is ongoing.
It wasn’t known if any of the former prison employees had attorneys or when they would appear in court.

University of Pittsburgh police officer accused of holding knife to son’s throat www.privateofficer.com

PITTSBURGH, June 8 2013 (UPI) — A University of Pittsburgh police officer has been accused of holding a knife to his son’s throat and threatening to cut out his tongue, officials said.
Scott Kercher, 39, of Whitehall, Pa., was ordered to stand trial Tuesday during a hearing for charges of reckless endangerment and endangering the welfare of children, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported.
A criminal complaint filed against Kercher by Allegheny County police states on March 25 Kercher put a knife to his 8-year-old son’s throat and threatened to cut out his tongue.
“It’s certainly alarming that a police officer would do something like this to a child,” Lt. Jeffrey Korczyk said.
The boy told investigators his father became angry with him because he would not answer a question, the complaint said. Kercher’s daughter, 6, also told investigators her father choked her while she sat on the couch.
Kercher was charged by county police in April.
The children have since been removed from his custody and are now living with their mother, who divorced Kercher in April.

San Antonio officer arrested after causing trouble at bar www.privateofficer.com

SAN ANTONIO TX June 8 2013 –An off-duty San Antonio police officer was arrested and escorted from a local sports bar, after patrons and bartenders complained he was pushing and shoving his way into the bar after closing time.
36-year old Sergio Hernandez was charged with criminal mischief.
The charges stem from the damage to the Plexiglas front door and the burglar bars, after witnesses say the 10-year veteran patrolman tried to kick his way back into Stacy’s Sports Bar in the 3800 block of Blanco Road.

The bar had already announced last call for alcohol some 30 minutes earlier and had asked Hernandez to leave.

“Everyone knows what’s expected of them in terms of their conduct,” said San Antonio Police Chief William McManus.

McManus said he launched both internal and criminal investigations into the incident.

Witnesses told KENS-5 that Hernandez was belligerent and tried to leave the bar with a drink in his hand. They said the off-duty officer also threatened patrons and bar staff that he’d return to retaliate against them.

McManus says he’s unaware of those allegations.

“We need deeper facts, before we can determine anything right now,” McManus added.

Hernandez is on administrative leave with pay, pending the outcome of the case against him.

The Class-A misdemeanor is punishable by fines and up to a year in jail, if convicted.

Source-KENS5.com

Former Nevada corrections officer pleads guilty in sexual relationship with killer www.privateofficer.com

 

LAS VEGAS NV June 7 2013 (AP) — A former Nevada corrections officer accused of having a sexual relationship with a convicted child killer serving time at a North Las Vegas prison has pleaded guilty to misconduct of a public officer.

Authorities say Eugenio Dimas, 52, entered the felony plea Wednesday in Las Vegas. As part of a plea agreement, prosecutors dropped a second charge of voluntary sexual contact between a prisoner and another person.

“Our office takes seriously any allegations of misconduct by public employees,” Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto said in a statement.

Officials said an inmate at the Florence McClure Women’s Correctional Center tipped them off to Dimas’ relationship with Monique Maestas, 26. The tipster warned a prison commander that a jealous Maestas might attack a third inmate who had allegedly been flirting with the guard.

According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, officials found Dimas’ cellphone number written on a Post-it note inside her prison cell, and confronted her about it.

She initially denied the accusations, but later admitted to having a sexual relationship with Dimas.

The corrections officer told state investigators there was no affair, but acknowledged giving Maestas a pendant of the Egyptian cross known as an ankh, along with pictures of him and his family and his cellphone number.

And according to court documents, “Officer Dimas was heard telling Maestas he loved her, missed her, would kiss her all over, made plans for the future and indicated they would be together.”

Officials say Dimas was placed on leave in October, arrested in February and fired in April. Sentencing is set for Oct. 3.

Maestas is serving 47 years to life in prison for a 2003 carving knife attack that left 3-year-old Kristyanna Cowan dead and her sister paralyzed. Authorities say Maestas, then 16, joined her brother, then 19, in assaulting the sisters in Mesquite. Prosecutors say the crime was revenge against the girls’ mother, who sold the Maestas siblings fake methamphetamine.

Arizona detention officer, 17 others arrested in drug ring www.privateofficer.com

Cochise County AZ June 6 2013 A Cochise County Sheriff’s Office detention officer and 17 other people suspected of trafficking cocaine in southern Arizona were arrested Monday and Tuesday, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The officer involved, Mario Serrano, had been with the Sheriff’s Office and worked in the detention center since December 2001, authorities said.

“Members of the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office occupy a position of trust not only within this organization but in our community,” Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels said.

Serrano was arrested on Tuesday and resigned from his position immediately after his arrest. His role in the drug ring is still unknown, authorities said.

The DEA along with help from the U.S. Border Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office and some police departments, have been working the drug-trafficking case over the last 12 months, the DEA said.

The ring brought cocaine from Mexico to Tucson where it would be distributed to street dealers in Bisbee and Sierra Vista, according to the DEA.

The 17 other people arrested were men and women residing in several cities in southeastern Arizona, including Sierra Vista, Bisbee and Tucson. The DEA reported three people remain at large in connection with that case.

Those involved were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to import, transport, sell and possess cocaine, money laundering, sale and transportation of a narcotic drug for sale and use of a wire or electronic communication in a drug offense, officials said.

The suspects are scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday at Pima County Superior Court in Tucson, the administration said. Assistant Attorney General Josh Moser is the prosecutor in the case.

source- azcentral.com

Former Prince George’s County Correctional Officer Sentenced to 24 Months for Obstruction of Justice www.privateofficer.com

 

WASHINGTON DC June 4 2013—U.S. District Judge Alexander Williams, Jr. sentenced Anthony McIntosh, a former correctional officer at the Prince George’s County Detention Center in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, to 24 months in prison for obstruction of justice. McIntosh had entered a guilty plea on January 4, 2013, at which time he admitted that he had obstructed justice by providing false information about the circumstances surrounding the in-custody death of Ronnie White. At the time of his death on June 29, 2008, White was being detained on charges related to the death two days earlier of a Prince George’s County police officer.
McIntosh, 49, of Brooklyn, New York, admitted during his guilty plea that he had provided false information in a witness statement he submitted to a police detective investigating White’s in-custody death. McIntosh admitted that he omitted from his witness statement material information that was truthful and included information that he knew was false. Specifically, McIntosh claimed in the false witness statement that another officer had discovered White unresponsive in his single-occupant cell and had then summoned McIntosh to the cell. During his guilty plea, McIntosh admitted that, in actuality, he had been the first correctional officer to find White unresponsive in the cell and that he had failed to call a medical emergency signal as required by the Department of Corrections. McIntosh also admitted that he included in his statement the false claims that he never moved Ronnie White’s body and that he “didn’t know what was going on” when his partner told him that White appeared to be unresponsive.
“Instead of lawfully carrying out his duties as a correctional officer, Mr. McIntosh used his official position to obstruct the search for the truth regarding the in-custody death of a pretrial detainee,” said Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Roy L. Austin, Jr. “The Justice Department will continue to vigorously prosecute officers who cross the line and engage in criminal misconduct.”
The case was investigated by the Baltimore Division of the FBI and was prosecuted by Special Litigation Counsel Forrest Christian and Trial Attorney Ali Ahmad of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, with the assistance of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland.

Baltimore police officer charged in drug corruption case www.privateofficer.com

 

Baltimore MD June 2 2013 A Baltimore police officer accepted cash payments and provided protection for a man she believed to be a drug dealer — a man who was actually working with department investigators and FBI agents to build a criminal case against her, authorities alleged Friday.
Ashley Roane, a 25-year-old patrol officer in the Southwestern District, agreed to access law enforcement databases listing informants and other sensitive information for the drug dealer, and provided Social Security numbers to him as part of a scheme to obtain false tax refunds, prosecutors said.
Roane was taken into custody Friday and will not appear in court until Monday, officials said. If convicted of all charges, she faces a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 17 years, U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein said.
Roane, who was being held in federal detention, has been suspended without pay. Such suspensions are routine for all officers charged with crimes, according to a police spokesman.
Family members of Roane and Erica Hughes, her 25-year-old roommate who was also charged in the alleged tax scheme, could not be reached to comment. No attorneys were listed in court records for the defendants.
Deputy Police Commissioner Jerry Rodriguez, brought from Los Angeles this year by Baltimore police Commissioner Anthony W. Batts to investigate police misconduct, said he hoped the arrest sent a message to other officers who might be involved in improper activities.
“As painful as this is to get before you and say that we have arrested one of our own, it is the steps that need to be taken in order … [to be] an organization that serves professionally, honorably and seeks to enforce the law without breaking the law,” Rodriguez said. “We will do whatever it takes to get there. We are not done.”
Several criminal cases have been filed in recent weeks against officers working for the city department, which has 3,200 members.
An officer was charged with human trafficking for allegedly running a prostitution business with his young wife, and another was charged with beating a man in May 2012. Officer James Smith has been charged with murder for allegedly shooting his wife and barricading himself inside of a home last month, leading to a standoff with officers in West Baltimore that lasted hours.
In April, four officers were suspended as part of an investigation stemming from the conviction of Officer Kendell Richburg, accused of aiding an informant’s drug dealing in exchange for information that helped Richburg rack up arrests. And the lead detective in the Phylicia Barnes murder case, Daniel T. Nicholson IV, was charged with forcing his way into a home last year and assaulting people while searching for his own missing daughter.
Rodriguez said the department has “zero tolerance” for misconduct. In addition to beefing up internal investigations, he said, police would be performing random audits of officers who access databases to monitor for inappropriate use.
“We don’t know what we don’t know, but what we do know and what we can prove, we will act upon,” Rodriguez said.
City Council President Bernard “Jack” Young, through a spokesman, said he was “encouraged by Commissioner Batts’ dedication to removing the few bad officers who unfortunately cast the entire department in a negative light.”
The case against Roane, which Rosenstein called a “controlled law enforcement sting,” came together quickly. A confidential source approached investigators in February, saying that Roane had spoken to him in the fall and said she could help him deal drugs in the area she patrolled, according to prosecutors.
On Feb. 18, Hughes met with the source to discuss a “money-making venture” in which Roane would pull names, birth dates, Social Security numbers and other information from police databases, according to an affidavit filed in the case. Roane and Hughes believed the source worked at a tax preparation service and asked him to file fraudulent tax returns, and they would split the profits, prosecutors said.
Baltimore police officers assigned to an FBI task force provided funds, which police said Hughes accepted in return for names she said Roane had pulled from a police computer. Under the direction of the task force officers, the source continued to build a list of names obtained through Hughes and Roane and make payments, according to court records.
On March 19, authorities say, the source asked Roane if she could check one of his purported drug associates to make sure he wasn’t an informant with the Police Department. The task force officers gave him the name of a fictitious person for her to check on, and Roane later told him that the person had come back “clean,” according to the records.
Over time, their relationship evolved to the point where Roane agreed to watch over the source as he carried out what she believed to be a heroin transaction, the records state. She directed him to the Westside Shopping Center in Shipley Hill and said she would “sit in her patrol car by a nearby restaurant with her head down and act as if she was writing a report” while the source and another person purportedly exchanged drugs and money in the middle of the parking lot, according to the affidavit.
On April 24, police said Roane accepted $1,500 in cash — money she believed to be proceeds from the tax scheme — and said she was preparing for next tax season and would give the source names earlier. On April 30, she took $500 as payment for providing protection on a drug delivery, records show.
Even though the transactions were set up by the police, Roane’s alleged cooperation led to charges of attempted possession with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin. Because her service weapon was on her hip, she also was charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Aggravated identity theft charges related to the tax scheme also were filed.
Hughes also faces an identity theft charge and was in custody.

source-www.baltimoresun.com

Arlington County deputy charged with murder www.privateofficer.com

 

ALEXANDRIA, Va. June 1 2013 — The Arlington County deputy who was arrested in the murder of a 22-year-old Alexandria man appeared via closed circuit TV screen at the Alexandria courthouse on Friday morning.
Commonwealth Attorney Randy Sengel said the charges were filed because the investigation showed that deputy Craig Patterson told 22-year-old Julian Dawkins “I’ll be back” after they had an altercation. According to Sengel, Patterson went home, got his badge, hancuffs and gun and chased Dawkins. Sengel said in court that Patterson shot Dawkins in the yard of a nearby home. Dawkins’ knife was found folded up in his pants pocket, according to Sengel.
Patterson of Spotsylvania County was arrested and charged with the murder of 22-year-old Julian Dawkins of Alexandria on Thursday. He was held without bond, and officials said he would be given a public defender.
“Earlier today, the Commonwealth’s Attorney requested that detectives apply for an arrest warrant for Patterson,” police said.
The warrant was issued Thursday afternoon and Patterson was taken into custody at a residence in Spotsylvania County this evening.
The arrest comes after public outcry against Patterson, after the circumstances of the shooting were revealed by family and friends of Dawkins.
Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille, who knew Julian and knows his family, told us in a cell phone interview that he was confident police investigators are doing their job.

“I know how people feel. I haven’t been there and haven’t been able to talk to the Commonwealth’s Attorney to ask why charges haven’t been filed but I know they’re gathering evidence in the investigation,” said Mayor Euille.

That was little comfort for Julian Dawkins’ family and his many friends.

Alexandria Commonwealth’s Attorney Randy Sengel says more evidence must be collected before any charges can be filed.
A decision on that, he says, won’t happen until next week.

Patterson is a 17-year employee of the Arlington County Sheriff’s Department who has spent most of his career working in the jail. A source high up in the Arlington Sheriff’s Department says they are all “stunned” about the shooting. The source says that Patterson is not a “hot head” but a low-key guy who “always has a smile on his face.” Patterson was honored with “employee of the quarter” recently and the source says has never had any disciplinary problems.
source-wusa

Louisville police officer accused of making woman strip while on duty www.privateofficer.com

 

Louisville KY June 1 2013 A Louisville Metro Police officer has been charged with two counts of official misconduct for allegedly detaining a woman while on duty and telling her to pull down her pants and expose herself during a routine call, according to court records. Officer Joe Burden allegedly falsely told the woman, who was a witness on the call to Cane Run Road in October, that there was a warrant for her arrest.

He requested she take off her clothes after other police had left the scene, saying the other officers wanted her to go to jail, according to a criminal summons. Burden, who pleaded not guilty in Jefferson District Court on Wednesday, “acted as if he had the authority to request this,” and the woman complied, the complaint alleges. She was then released. Later, Burden allegedly began calling the woman, asking if he could see her.

The victim, who is not being identified by The Courier-Journal, declined and went to the police Public Integrity Unit to file a complaint, prompting an investigation, according to court records. On Dec. 11, 2012, the unit set up a phone call between the victim and Burden to discuss her fine owed for a speeding ticket. They met at a Walmart on Raggard Road, and Burden had the victim follow him to a nearby park, court records say. At the park, Burden asked if he could “feel them,” and put his hands underneath the victim’s shirt and touched her breasts, according to the criminal summons. Officers of the unit then approached, according to the documents.

Attorney Steve Schroering, who is representing, Burden, said the officer “absolutely maintains his innocence and looks forward to having the whole story come out in court.” Schroering said he does not expect Burden to face any more charges, saying the case has been reviewed by the Jefferson County attorney’s office. Bill Patteson, a spokesman for the county attorney’s office, said he could not comment on a pending case. LMPD spokeswoman Alicia Smiley said Burden’s police powers have been suspended and he is working in an administrative capacity. She said the department has turned over the criminal investigation but is also doing its own internal investigation. Burden’s personnel file showed he has eight commendations and no disciplinary action in his eight years with the department. He had been assigned to the 2nd Division.
source-courier-journal

Las Vegas Township Constable deputy charged with forgery www.privateofficer.com

 

Las Vegas NV June 1 2013 An encounter between a Las Vegas Township Constable deputy and Metro Police  at an MGM Grand nightclub early Saturday morning led to the deputy’s arrest on  forgery charges and her subsequent resignation from the department. Deputy constables Allison Lear and Jason Watkins were attempting to serve a  warrant to an employee at the Hakkasan nightclub Saturday morning when hotel  security called Metro, according to constable spokesman Lou Toomin.

When police arrived around 4:30 a.m., they arrested Lear for outstanding  warrants for perjury, forgery and filing a false instrument, plus a new charge  of possession of drug paraphernalia. “Security requested police because they felt the circumstance was suspicious.  Our officers assisted security and that’s how Ms. Lear was contacted and  subsequently arrested,” Metro spokesman Officer Larry Hadfield said.

The warrants for Lear’s arrest were issued in December over charges that she  lied about being married to Alexander Djordjevic, who was killed in a 2010 road  race accident in Northern Nevada.

According to court documents, Lear allegedly forged a marriage certificate  showing she had wed Djordjevic shortly before his death to gain control of his  estate. Djordjevic’s father has maintained that his son could not have married Lear  in Las Vegas on the date included on the marriage certificate because Djordjevic  was in California at the time working for a family business. Lear resigned her position in the constable’s office Tuesday morning, but  Toomin said the department is conducting its own investigation into what  transpired Saturday morning.

“This whole thing stinks. It just smells bad,” he said. Watkins, who was not arrested, and Lear were both at the nightclub on  official constable’s duty to serve a warrant for a wage garnishment or other  civil proceeding, Toomin said. “They went to serve a warrant on a person employed by the club.

When they got  there he had not gone to work yet, so they went to a restaurant and had dinner.  When they went back to the club is when Metro got involved,” Toomin said. Lear was background-checked three times since being hired by the constable’s  office in September, Toomin said, including one within the past few months when  she bought a handgun. Toomin said it’s unclear why the warrants didn’t show up during the  background checks and why Metro Police waited to arrest Lear until Saturday  morning. “The warrants were cleared by the justice court in December.

They could have  contacted us immediately. They could have arrested her the day the warrant was  issued because they would have known where she was,” Toomin said. “There had  been three background checks and they all came up clean. The warrants were not  in the system where they should have been. If they had been there, we would have  caught her the first time.”

Lear’s arrest is another in a long line of negative incidents that have in  some way involved the Las Vegas constable’s office. County commissioners voted in March to abolish the office entirely starting  in 2015, but the decision is currently being challenged in a lawsuit before the  state Supreme Court filed by Constable John Bonaventura.
source- http://www.lasvegassun.com

Former narcotics task force commander charged with stealing $125,000 www.privateofficer.com

 

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama June 1 2013 – Following a months-long FBI investigation, federal prosecutors have charged Jeffery Snyder, the former commander of the West Alabama Narcotics Task Force, with stealing at least $125,000 from cash seized by the task force under his command.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office charged 55-year-old Snyder on Thursday with theft from a program that received more than $10,000 in federal benefits within a one-year period. In a guilty plea agreement, Snyder said he embezzled the money from June 2010 to June 2012, when he left the task force.
The West Alabama Narcotics Task Force is staffed with officers from the Tuscaloosa Police Department, Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, Northport Police Department and University of Alabama Police Department. It is tasked to investigate all drug crimes in Tuscaloosa County and was responsible for record-breaking raids in February that led to the arrest of 74 people, including 61 University of Alabama students, on drug-related charges.
Snyder joined the task force in 1989 and became its commander in June 2002. He retired as a captain in December.
The unit periodically seized suspected illegal drug proceeds, and Snyder was responsible for depositing the money into bank accounts. According to his plea agreement, began “pocketing some or all of the funds seized during various arrests, and then failing to correctly account for those funds.”
On the terms of the plea agreement, Snyder will serve an 18-month prison sentence if the court approves his terms.
The FBI investigated the case, with assistance from the West Alabama Narcotics Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Henry Cornelius is prosecuting the case.
“Mr. Snyder tarnished the badge he wore and violated the trust of the people of West Alabama,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard D. Schwein Jr. in a U.S. Attorney’s Office press release. “This case demonstrates our commitment to enforce the law and hold individuals accountable, regardless of rank, position, or status. Fortunately, this is an isolated incident, and we should recognize the efforts of law enforcement officers throughout the region who continue to risk their lives on a daily basis so that the public can be safe.”
U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance commended members of the police force who follow the rules.
“Most law-enforcement officers serve their communities bravely and honorably each and every day,” Vance said. “Unfortunately, this defendant violated his oath, the law and the public trust he had been granted. That cannot be tolerated. The public must be able to trust its law enforcement officers.”
Source: al.com

Former Va. police chief sentenced to prison www.privateofficer.com

 

BIG STONE GAP, Va. May 30 2013 (AP) — A former Pennington Gap police chief convicted on drug and burglary charges will spend nine years in prison.

William Bryan Young also must pay more than $11,000 in restitution. The 39-year-old Duffield resident was sentenced Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Big Stone Gap.

Young had pleaded guilty in January to charges of drug conspiracy and burglary of a pharmacy. U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Heaphy says Young engaged in illegal drug transactions and arranged the burglary of a pharmacy while serving as police chief.

Co-defendants Kevin Andrew Young and Chris Miles, both of Duffield pleaded guilty previously to burglary of a pharmacy.

Milwaukee police officer arrested for illegally buying prescription drugs www.privateofficer.com

 

 

MILWAUKEE WI May 30 2013– Milwaukee Police Officer Anthony Bialecki is facing criminal charges for buying $40 worth of Percocet during a police sting operation.

On February 13th, Bialecki bought drugs from a citizen who sold Percocet during a Milwaukee Police Department controlled sale in downtown Milwaukee.

Officers arrested Bialecki within minutes of him buying 20 pills of Percocet.

Bialecki told police he did not have a prescription for the Percocet, and that he planned to use the pills to supplement the prescription he has for Vicodin.
source-cbs58

Bullitt County KY constable arrested on drug charges www.privateofficer.com

MT. WASHINGTON, Ky. May 30 2013 —For the second time in five months, a Bullitt County constable is in jail on drug charges, this time accused of selling heroin to a Sheriff’s Office informant.

Clifton Hudson, 43, was arrested in December and indicted by a grand jury in April.

He’s been out of jail on bond, but the Sheriff’s Department said he’s back after detectives got some tips about drug activity still going on.

Detectives taped off and searched a Mt. Washington home where they discovered small amounts of heroin right after they said Hudson tried to sell some there.

“It appears to be heroin inside a needle and syringe ready to go for approximately $50,” said Lt. Mike Murdoch with the Bullitt County Sheriff’s Office.

The search happened about 3:45 p.m. Tuesday.

Bullitt County’s Drug Enforcement Unit set up a controlled buy at the Meadow View Court home where Hudson lives.

“And I didn’t want to be involved with it because it makes me real nervous and everything,” said neighbor Mary Patton.

Patton said she often sees people come and go from Hudson’s house, and while his arrest is concerning, she said it’s not surprising.

“No, I’m not surprised. He’s been on the news before,” said Patton.

Investigators said a search of the constable’s home then uncovered marijuana, pills and drug paraphernalia.

“Obviously, it looks bad on the county as a whole, but that just shows that the sheriff and the High Intensity Drug Force Unit that it doesn’t matter who you are, if you’re dealing drugs we’re going to arrest you for it,” said Murdoch.

The Sheriff’s Department said Hudson took office as constable in 2011, and he has the authority to make arrests.

But now, his own arrest has led to charges surrounding a drug that investigators said is becoming a big problem in Bullitt County.

“Heroin is increasing all across the country. It’s not just here, it’s increasing everywhere and it’s gotten bad around here also,” said Murdoch.

Hudson was booked into jail on drug possession and trafficking charges.

He’s expected in court Wednesday morning.

His attorney who represents him on his December case said he was unfamiliar with Tuesday’s arrest and couldn’t comment

source- http://www.wlky.com

Former Puerto Rico Police Officers Convicted of Extorting a Defendant for $50,000 www.privateofficer.com

 

WASHINGTON DC May 30 2013 —Two former police officers with the Police of Puerto Rico were convicted of attempting to extort a commonwealth defendant and soliciting bribe payments of $50,000, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez of the District of Puerto Rico.
Abimael Arroyo-Cruz, 30, of Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, was convicted by a jury on charges including conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery, bribery, conspiracy to commit extortion, and attempted extortion. Josue Becerril-Ramos, 36, of Carolina, Puerto Rico, pleaded guilty to the same counts during trial.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Arroyo and Becerril arrested eight individuals for possession of unregistered firearms and marijuana on August 2, 2012. The officers then solicited from one individual a bribe payment of $50,000 to have his case dismissed. Beginning on September 11, 2012, both officers spoke with the individual multiple times over the telephone, discussing payment details and strategies for dismissing the individual’s case. Arroyo and Becerril collected approximately $35,000 of the $50,000 in two different payment installments.
In exchange for the bribes, Arroyo and Becerril devised a plan whereby the officers would misidentify a co-defendant in court, leading to dismissal of that defendant’s case. When asked under oath at the preliminary hearing to identify the defendant, Arroyo instead identified a co-defendant.
Unbeknownst to the officers, the individuals who dropped off the payments were cooperating with federal law enforcement.
The case was investigated by the FBI’s San Juan Field Office. The case was prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Menaka Kalaskar and Marquest J. Meeks of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Henwood of the District of Puerto Rico.

Off-duty Texas police officer arrested after shooting neighbour’s cat with arrow www.privateofficer.com

Boerne TX May 26 2013 An off-duty police officer is on leave this week after shooting a neighbor’s cat with a crossbow and arrow that punctured its lung and broke its leg.
Aggressive: Officer Lance DeLeon was charged with animal cruelty and has been placed on administrative leave following his arrest Officer Lance DeLeon of Boerne, Texas, targeted the harmless creature with the deadly weapon when he found it prowling around his garden earlier this week.
Horrified to find their precious pet speared by the arrow, the cat’s owners rushed him to the nearest veterinarian. He was later taken to a specialist in San Antonio where he still recovering.

The mother of two recalled how she was outside on Tuesday afternoon and heard a commotion near the fence that separates her property and the DeLeon family’s home.
‘I heard this swoosh noise, like a swish and I heard clawing at the back of our fence,’ she said. ‘I didn’t see Bobby crest the fence. I saw an arrow and then it quickly disappeared.’
Jumping up to see what had happened she spotted Lance DeLeon – whom she claims to never have met – leaning over the injured feline.
‘All he said was there was no collar on him and he was in my plants. That was all,’ she said.
Bobby wasn’t the only one injured in the foray. After scooping up the wounded kitty, Mrs Brunner jumped back over the fence into her garden and in doing so broke her ankle which is now in a cast.
Despite insisting that there is no bad feeling between her family and the DeLeons, Mrs Brunner did point out: ‘He could have come and easily said, “do you own a little brown cat? He comes into my yard and I don’t like it.” Turn the water hose on him, call animal control. Being a policeman, he had every resource at his fingertips.’
In addition, she admitted to being upset that the cop had intentionally fired a dangerous weapon at her home.
‘That arrow could have gone through the fence, hit me, or the dogs, the kids, anyone,’ she said.

The four-year Beorne Police veteran who was quoted in the Boerne Business Monthly in 2011 as saying that officers in the community ‘want to be a positive influence,’ was charged with animal cruelty and posted bail of $2000.
He is currently on administrative leave.
Bobby meanwhile is expected to make a full recovery though he may face surgery on his leg.
As her children and husband showered kisses and upon their beloved kitty, Mrs Brunner remarked: ‘We just want to rehab this guy and get back to life an move on.’

Clayton GA officer fired-arrested after pointing gun at apt. resident www.privateofficer.com

 

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. May 25 2013 — “He says he is going to shoot me. And he has his hand on his pistol and he’s supposed to be the Courtesy Officer.”
With those frantic words, Jonathan Fernandez began taking cell phone video of a man who appears to have his hand on a gun. He says the man in the video threatened to shoot him and his dog, after his pit bull mix Big Boy got loose yesterday. He says his pet playfully approached the other man’s dog, which was being walked by the other man’s wife at the time.
I proceeded to walk up my stairs, and the gentleman stood behind me the whole time with his chest behind my back, with the firearm to his hand.”
Fernandez says he began to knock on his neighbors’ doors at the Wellington Ridge apartment complex for help. When no one answered he took out his camera phone and ran to the parking lot, where in front of witnesses he dared the man, who neighbors say is the complex’s courtesy officer, to repeat what he had said when they were alone.
“Say it again! You’re on camera now!” Fernandez can be heard telling the man. At that point, the video shows him charging Fernandez in a violent, epithet-fueled attack.
“He started pushing me, punching me, holding me, and hitting me with the gun,” he said recounting the incident. “I didn’t know what to do; I stood there; I froze. You have a gun in your face. I saw my whole life flash before my eyes.”
Joshua Green was arrested for aggravated assault and was later released from jail on bond. A woman who answered the door at his apartment had no comment on the incident. But Fernandez says he’s outraged that he was told he has to wait three days to apply for a restraining order, while Green is out of jail less than 50-feet from his home.
In a press release Thursday afternoon the Clayton County Police Department said after an internal investigation, Green was terminated.
“Once I saw that firearm, and it wasn’t in the holster, I knew he wasn’t in the right state of mind or he was willing to do something with that firearm.”
Fernandez says he had put his dog away and apologized profusely to Green’s wife. In fact, he thought it was all over until Green confronted him.
Despite repeated attempts for comment, the apartment complex management did not respond tonight. Clayton County police officials say they hope to be able to provide more information on their investigation later this week.

Source-nbc11

NJ Officer Accused Of Firebombing Boss’ Home www.privateofficer.com

MONROE TOWNSHIP NJ May 25 2013 — An Edison police officer was arrested and charged for allegedly setting fire to the home of the Edison police captain and his family.
Edison Police Officer Michael Dotro entered the courtroom, briefly glancing at his family. It was his first appearance after being charged with five counts of attempted murder, and one count of arson. His attorney entered his plea of not guilty.
At 4 a.m. on Monday morning, a Molotov cocktail was hurled at Edison Police Captain Mark Anderko’s home in Monroe.
His wife, two young kids, and 92-year-old mother were all inside asleep as the flames grew.
All escaped unharmed.
The Middlesex County Prosecutor says evidence points to 35-year-old Dotro.
“The vast majority of officers are excellent. The best way we can help them is to weed out the bad ones,” said Andrew Carey, Acting Middlesex County Prosecutor.
As for a motive, there is word the captain signed off on a negative evaluation for Dotro’s work on the force.
Eyewitness News asked his attorney.
“I’m not aware of anything like that,” said Lawrence Bitterman, Dotro’s attorney.
Dotro’s family would not comment after court.
Edison’s police chief said in a statement, “It is with deep regret that something of this nature should befall the department.”
Judge Bradley Ferencz left bail at $5 million cash, with no 10% option because of the severity of the crime.
If convicted, Dotro faces 30 years to life in prison.

Source- WABC

Las Vegas prison guard conspired with security guard to rob bank www.privateofficercom

 

Las Vegas NV May 25 2013 Benjamin Kyker is very familiar with the Nevada prisons system, but the veteran prison guard could soon be bunking with the kind of men he’s been guarding.
Kyker, a sergeant with the Southern Desert Correctional Center in Indian Springs, was arrested Thursday and faces charges in connection to conspiring with a security guard to rob a bank.
According to his Las Vegas police arrest report, Kyker, 37, went to the Wells Fargo at 10475 S. Decatur Blvd., near Cactus Avenue in the southwest valley, about 10:45 p.m. Wednesday as the ATM was being serviced.
Kyker placed his .45 caliber Smith & Wesson handgun to the head of the security guard, William Stack, and said, “Give me all you got,” the report said. The ATM technician, a woman in her mid-60s, gave the robber two cassettes containing about $21,000 and one cassette of 84 postage stamps.
The sergeant then used Stack as a human shield before speeding away in a red Volvo sedan with no license plates, the report said.
But Kyker didn’t make it very far. Police stopped his car five miles away, near Rainbow Boulevard and Windmill Lane. Officers say they found the stolen cash and a handgun in Kyker’s car.
Kyker told detectives he is an 18-year veteran law enforcement officer who has fallen on hard times. His wife recently lost her job, and the couple couldn’t afford to pay their bills, he said.
He also told detectives he was an Army National Guard member, and recognized the bank guard, Stack, as another guardsman.
“At this point, I felt Kyker and Stack had conspired to commit the robbery,” Detective Craig Dunn wrote in the report.
Dunn said he pressed Kyker to tell the truth, and Kyker eventually admitted that Stack had suggested “it would be easy to rob the money for the ATM tech.”
Stack told Kyker that “he was guarding an older lady,” the report said.
He told police he didn’t load his handgun as a precaution against an accidental discharge.
Stack, 25, first told police he didn’t know Kyker and hadn’t seen the robber’s face, but eventually revealed that he knew Kyker for six years through the National Guard.
Stack, who worked with Southern Nevada Security Patrol, said the ATM technician didn’t know about the plan and was “very scared” during the robbery, the report said.
Stack and Kyker were booked at the Clark County jail on charges of robbery with a deadly weapon and conspiracy to commit robbery.
Kyker was being held without bail. Stack’s bail status remained unclear; he was not listed in Clark County jail records Friday.
Kyker told police “he knows what he did was wrong and was very remorseful.”
The Nevada Department of Corrections did not return a call seeking comment about Kyker’s job status.

Source- las vegas review journal

Beaverton police officer for rape of 5-year-old child www.privateofficer.com

 

VANCOUVER WA Ma 24 2013  – A Beaverton police officer already accused of food stamp fraud was arrested by SWAT officers at his Vancouver, Wash., home in connection with the sexual assault of a 5-year-old child.

Christopher Warren, 33, was arrested Wednesday. He was booked into the Clark County Jail on an accusation of first-degree rape of a child, said Vancouver police spokeswoman Kim Kapp. Warren was arrested about 3:20 p.m. at the home in the 9200 block of NE 14th Way by tactical officers assisting detectives from the Children’s Justice Center unit.

Neighbor Ben Ruth told KGW he was shocked and appalled by the arrest of his neighbor. “I couldn’t believe this was happening, especially with Chris being affiliated with the police department,” he said. In 2009, Multnomah County investigators looked into allegations of inappropriate touching of a minor dating back to when Warren was a teen.

The case was dropped when the alleged victim declined to cooperate. A year later, Warren was accused of failing to report a crime after a friend was convicted of child sex abuse. He was fired, then reinstated. Last month, Warren pleaded not guilty to unlawfully obtaining public assistance, unlawfully obtaining food stamps and theft. Warren has been on paid administrative leave.   Beaverton police Officer Mike Rowe said an internal investigation of Warren was ongoing.
Source-kgw

Four Canadian police officers face drug charges www.privateofficer.com

 

MONTREAL CANADA May 24 2013  – Four policemen – two from the Montreal police force and two from  Longueuil police — were arrested Wednesday and will face various offences,  including drug trafficking. According to SPVM spokesman Ian Lafreniere, the arrests are the result of a  year-and-a-half long joint investigation by both police forces.

“In total this is 17 people that are or will be accused in this operation,  including four police officers,” he said. The case dates back to January 2011, said Lafreniere, when a Montreal police  officer was savagely beaten in Mexico. Lafreniere specified that two of the  arrested officers were in Mexico at the time of the beating, but said the  arrested men are not linked to the attack itself. Details of that case are  subject to a publication ban.

“We are confirming that yes, the investigation started up in Mexico, but  there are no accusations linked with that… A police officer was savagely beaten  in Mexico. We started up the investigation to understand what happened. At the  end of it, there are 17 people that have been accused because of the internal  investigation we’ve done,” he said.

The SPVM arrested Amir El Alfy, who will be charged with importing  narcotics, theft, possession of stolen property and possession of a prohibited  weapon, and Charles Lavallee, who faces allegations connected to trafficking  steroids and possession of hashish. In Longueuil, police arrested Maxime Marcotte and Olivier Roy.

Longueuil  police spokesman Martin Simard said the two men involved have been suspended for  a few months. Lafreniere also said the Montreal officers have been suspended without pay  for several months. T

he agents should appear in court by way of summons on July 29. The 17 people are or will be charged for their involvement in growing  marijuana, trafficking, and possession of various drugs. Police say the other people arrested are linked to the police officers, but  wouldn’t specify how. He also alluded to the fact that they may have been linked  to organized crime. “When you grow marijuana, you can’t do that by yourself. You have to be  linked to a criminal organization,” he said.
source- montreal.ctvnews.ca

Philadelphia Narcotics Officer Sets Up Arrest to Rob Drug Dealer www.privateofficer.com

Philadelphia PA May 24 2013 A Philadelphia police officer was arrested and accused of working with his confidential informant to set up and rob a drug dealer.

Officer Jeffrey Walker, a 24-year veteran of the force and 14-year vet of the Narcotics Division, had multiple discussions with an informant in attempts to set up a heist, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court that was obtained by NBC10.

The affidavit states that Walker recently approached the informant and asked him to help him rip off drug dealers. The informant tipped off the FBI, who in turn set up a sting.

Starting May 6 and going until Tuesday, Walker and the informant, who wasn’t identified, talked about the proposed thefts. During each conversation, Walker’s robbery plans changed, according to the affidavit.

In one plan he said he would supply the informant with a large amount of drugs while leaving a smaller amount behind during a drug stop. In another conversation, Walker is heard trying to set up a drug stop where he would then take the keys of an alleged cocaine dealer and burglarize the dealer’s home giving the informant half the take.

The second plan is the one that Walker allegedly followed through with Tuesday night, according to federal investigators.

Walker allegedly planted drugs in a drug dealer’s Jetta while it was parked outside of Spiro’s Bat on W Girard Avenue while the alleged dealer and the informant had a drink inside. The duo left a short time later and the alleged dealer, who wasn’t identified, drove off alone, according to investigators.

Walker, likely armed with his service revolver, and two other officers pulled over the Jetta on 6th Street between Vine and Race Streets, investigators said. In his police report Walker said the he observed the Jetta with Virginia plates driving erratically at a high-rate of speed. After the stop, an officer saw the driver allegedly place an Arizona bottle with some sort of substance inside under the seat.

Less than an hour later, a marked police K-9 unit arrived on the scene to conduct a sniff search. At that time Walker allegedly contacted the informant to let him know that he had the alleged dealer’s house keys.

At Walker’s direction, highway patrol officer’s towed away the Jetta and a search warrant was alter issued. Later that night, Walker 28 grams of coke were reported found inside a clear baggie that was stuffed inside the bottle, according to the affidavit.

Investigators said that a little before midnight, Walker was observed arriving at the suspected drug dealer’s house on Florence Avenue in the city’s Kingsessing section where he met the informant. About six minutes later the men walked out of the home and were arrested.

According to investigators Walker had around $15,000 and his service gun on him while the informant had around five pounds of marijuana in his custody.

The affidavit states that Walker fessed up to planting the cocaine in the Jetta, setting up the false arrest, taking the suspect’s key, using the key to enter the suspected drug dealer’s home and taking around $15,000 in supposed drug sales revenue from the home.

Federal agents raided Walker’s home in the Overbrook section of the city of Philadelphia early this morning, according to the sources with knowledge of the investigation.

It’s unclear what police found in walker’s home. It’s also unclear if Walker was involved in any other incidents.
source-nbc Philadelphia