Saturday, April 19, 2014

Former Officer Edmond Burke Accused of Selling Cocaine

The former Prichard police officer accused of selling cocaine and using his badge as a shield job has been indicted by a grand jury on drug charges.

Edmond Kennies Burke, 34, was arrested late Wednesday after being indicted on charges of trafficking and possessing cocaine, as well as possession of marijuana, stemming from an Aug. 2 sting operation.

According to an affidavit filed last year by a Homeland Security Investigations agent, Burke obtained 5 kilograms of cocaine and had marijuana and drug paraphernalia during a subsequent search of his house. It was alleged he made regular drug runs, carrying cocaine in his squad car.

He and another man, Raymond “Roc” Williams, were planning on selling the cocaine, obtained from a drug dealer cooperating with authorities.

The dealer told Williams he would receive $15,000 once the cocaine had been delivered, according to previous reports. Williams and Burke had done similar deals in the past, they said.

Court records alleged the pair had previously received $3,000 per kilogram and would only deliver larger amounts because they needed to split the payment.

The sting operation was a joint effort by federal agents and the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office. Last year, Burke was subsequently charged in federal court, but was not indicted.

Burke will be arraigned before Mobile County Presiding Judge Charles Graddick on May 20. His bail was set at $20,000 on the trafficking charge, $7,500 for possession of cocaine and $500 for possession of marijuana.

Officer Josh George Arrested for Internet Stalking of Child

The Guy Police Department has fired a part-time police officer after he was arrested last week on suspicion of Internet stalking of a child.

Chief Dave Martini says the department terminated Josh George's employment. Martini says he will ask the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training to decertify George as a police officer.

Faulkner County authorities say George was arrested after he allegedly tried to meet two children for sex. Police say it was a sting arranged by investigators and no children were involved.

George was also fired from the Arkansas Community Correction Department, where he was undergoing training as a correctional officer.

George remains jailed and is due in court April 21. Authorities did not know if he had an attorney.