Former Officer Marcos Carrion Charged with Intent to Distribute Cocaine

Former Houston Police Department (HPD) officer Marcos E. Carrion, 36, has surrendered to authorities, announced United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson today.

Carrion was charged in a sealed indictment returned April 16, 2014. It was unsealed as Carrion turned himself into authorities this morning. He is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge George C. Hanks Jr. at 2:00 p.m. today.

Carrion is charged with conspiring with others to possess with the intent to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine from mid-2013 through April 2014.

Carrion, a five-year HPD veteran, had recently resigned from his position.

If convicted, he faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison as well as a possible $10 million fine.

The charges are the result of a six-month investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration with the assistance of HPD and the FBI. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Mark E. Donnelly and Shelley J. Hicks.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

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 Ralph Mata Arrested For Murder for Hire Plot

A Miami-Dade police officer responsible for investigating police misconduct has been busted for allegedly organizing a murder-for-hire plot and cross-country drug trafficking.

Ralph Mata, an internal affairs officer known as "The Milk Man," was arrested in Miami Gardens on Tuesday after authorities say they uncovered his role in trafficking cocaine from the Dominican Republic to New Jersey.

According to the criminal complaint the 45-year-old’s associated drug traffickers were moving narcotics when rival dealers threatened to kill Mata's co-conspirators.

Those members, whom he had outfitted with firearms, were paying Mata thousands of dollars in cash for his help, in addition to giving him a Rolex watch valued at $10,000, according to the complaint.

Mata allegedly went to work by orchestrating a Hollywood style murder plot involving assassins disguised in uniforms and badges.

When his two targets were pulled over by what they'd think were law enforcement officers, they'd instead be shot.

"Mata arranged to pay two assassins $150,000 per target. Ultimately, the [drug trafficking organization] decided not to move forward with the murder plot, but Mata still received a payment for setting up the meetings," according to the complaint.

Mata's long rap includes aiding in the distribution of cocaine, organizing a murder-for-hire plot, providing firearms and sensitive law enforcement information to drug traffickers, and facilitating the transport of drug proceeds, according to New Jersey U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman.

He's charged with one count each of aiding and abetting a conspiracy to distribute cocaine; conspiring to distribute cocaine; and engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity-specifically, drug proceeds.

Each of the narcotics charges face him with a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum potential penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine.

The transaction involving drug proceeds carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Officer Tyrone Jenkins Arrested for Dealing Drugs

A Tulsa Police officer has been arrested on suspicion of dealing drugs.

Officer Tyrone Jenkins was booked into the Tulsa County jail on complaints of Possession of Firearm in Commission of a Felony, Conspiracy to Traffic Cocaine and Violation of the Computer Crimes Act.

According to a press release, Tulsa police received information regarding alleged criminal activity involving Jenkins and launched an internal investigation.

Police said more information would be released later.

Lt. Thomas Foye Charged with Stealing Drugs from Evidence Locker

A high-ranking Ludlow police officer charged with stealing drugs from the department's evidence locker has been suspended without pay.

Lt. Thomas Foye had been suspended with pay since his arrest in August, but because he was indicted by a grand jury last week, the town's Select Board voted unanimously Tuesday to suspend him without pay.

According to court documents, video surveillance captured the 49-year-old Foye entering the locked narcotics locker at the police station, where he appears to handle and open evidence bags. He is charged with tampering with evidence, theft of drugs from a dispensary and cocaine possession.

In a brief statement at Tuesday's board meeting, the 25-year veteran thanked the board and said he "went into surgery a hero and came out a drug addict."

Deputy Sheriff Charles Fuller Charged with Possession of Cocaine

The U.S. Attorney's Office says a Saratoga County Deputy Sheriff has been arrested on drug charges.

Charles Fuller, 46, from Corinth was charged on Friday with attempting to aid and abet the possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. If convicted, Fuller faces a maximum of 40 years in prison, and a $5,000,000 fine.

According to the complaint, the FBI, along with a confidential source arranged to buy a kilo of cocaine from Fuller while he was off duty.

"The allegations against Fuller are an affront to and undermine the integrity of the hardworking men and women of the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office. We will not tolerate corruption among our ranks. Our promise to the people of Saratoga County is that we will continue to work diligently to ensure that every member of this office deserves the respect and trust of our community," says Saratoga County Sheriff Michal Zurlo.

Corrections Officer Jessie Tyree Arrested on Drug Charges

A federal corrections officer and a woman were arrested at an apartment complex by Ocala police and drug agents Friday and were charged with possession of illegal narcotics.

Ocala Police Department officers Brandon Sirolli and J.P. Hall were patrolling at Spring Manor Apartments at 2833 NE Seventh St., Ocala, when they smelled burnt marijuana coming from an open window.

The officers saw Jessie Tyree and a woman walking from a hallway and smelled a strong odor of marijuana on them. The two said they had just left the apartment from which the officers had smelled burnt marijuana, reports state.

The woman told the officers she had smoked marijuana in the apartment. Other officers arrived and Tyree and the woman were searched. The woman did not have anything illegal in her possession but Tyree had MDMA, commonly called Ecstasy, cocaine and drug paraphernalia, according to the report.

Tyree, 28, is a corrections officer at Marion Correctional Institution. He told the officers he has been using drugs for “just a little while,” the report notes.

Charlotte James, the tenant in the apartment, came outside and asked officers what was going on. She said she had smoked marijuana before Tyree and the woman arrived, but that there was not any more inside. The officers asked to search the residence and she told them no, the report states.

The officers contacted the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team, which obtained a search warrant. Inside James’ apartment agents found a small amount of marijuana.
James, 26, was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana less than 20 grams.

Tyree was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine, MDMA and drug paraphernalia.

Officer Michelle Salentine Arrested for Smoking Cocaine

The FBI has arrested a Platteville Police Officer, charging her with smoking crack cocaine. The news came as a shock to the small police department.

Monday afternoon Platteville Police Chief Doug McKinley got a visit from the FBI. “They let us know that they’d had an ongoing investigation concerning a member of our department.”

Officer Michelle Salentine was arrested without incident when she reported for duty. She appeared in federal court Tuesday, accused of smoking crack cocaine.

Salentine joined the Platteville Police Department in September of 2004. “Been a very good officer, but apparently had some things going on that we were unaware of,” says McKinley. According to court documents, Salentine says she’s been smoking crack 4 to 6 times a week for the past year.

A confidential witness tipped off the FBI in February. Chief McKinley says Salentine is a patrol officer for the night shift.

“She was working predominantly 7pm to 7am.” According to the witness, Salentine has smoked crack while on duty. On March 4th, the witness texted a law enforcement officer at 1:35 am, saying, “your girl is here smoking she has a stem and a bag, getting f***ed up here and in the squad, she’s getting to go back on duty.”

Former ATF Agent Brandon McFadden Indicted on Drug Charges

A former Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent was taken into custody by Tulsa Police on Thursday.

Brandon J. McFadden was indicted by a grand jury for the Northern District of Oklahoma on four counts including conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana; possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute; possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking offense, and money laundering.

According to the indictment, McFadden was employed as an ATF agent from July, 2002, through September, 2009. He regularly investigated potential firearms and drug trafficking offenses, and the indictment alleges that he was guilty of selling drugs, falsifying evidence and lying on the witness stand.

In one case, a man and his daughter were sent to federal prison and have since been released.  The woman's only son was killed by a drunk driver while she was in prison, and she was not allowed to attend the funeral.

Related Story 3/31/2010: Tulsa Police Officer, Former ATF Agent Accused Of Corruption

If convicted, McFadden faces a possible sentence of not less than 10 years imprisonment to life. The McFadden investigation is related to an investigation of corruption in the Tulsa Police Department.
Tulsa Police Officer Jeff Henderson has been placed on administrative leave in connection to this investigation which is ongoing.

Three Rhode Island Officers Arrested in Cocaine Dealing Operation

Three Providence police officers, including a narcotics detective and a school resource officer, were arrested Thursday on charges that they helped with a cocaine-dealing operation.

Detective Joseph Colanduono, Patrolman Robert Hamlin and Sergeant Steven Gonsalves were arrested at police headquarters and have been suspended without pay, said Providence Police Chief Dean Esserman, who called it a "hard day" for his department. The officers either used the cocaine or helped arrange the drug deals, police said.

"These actions that we saw are an offensive display of a violation of trust that we cannot and will not tolerate," Attorney General Patrick Lynch said.

The chief of the State Law Enforcement Division met Thursday with the leaders of the tiny coastal town of Atlantic Beach to discuss a possible new partnership to stave off drug crime there during the coming summer months.

"Our plan is to be much more aggressive around the state, particularly when it comes to narcotics and violent-crime issues," said SLED Director Reggie Lloyd.

Lloyd traveled to Atlantic Beach for the informal meeting with the town's new attorney, Steve Benjamin of Columbia, a friend of his since law school. Sitting in the town's community center, Lloyd listened as Councilman Donnell Thompson, Police Chief Randy Rizzo and Town Manager Kenneth McIver described how Atlantic Beach's drug trade has mostly subsided.

Authorities arrested Guatemala's anti-drug czar and national police chief Tuesday in a case involving stolen cocaine and slain police, acting just two days before U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton arrives to discuss the drug war.

The detentions were the latest embarrassment for Guatemala's embattled anti-narcotics effort and came amid U.S. complaints that corruption is impeding the battle to stop the flow of drugs north through Central America.

Attorney General Amilcar Velasquez said Police Chief Baltazar Gomez, anti-drug czar Nelly Bonilla and police officer Fernando Carrillo were detained after an investigation by Guatemalan authorities and the U.N.-sponsored International Commission Against Impunity.

The arrests of Guatemala's drug czar and national police chief underscore how deeply the world's multibillion-dollar drug industry can corrupt small countries with weak institutions - a trend the Obama administration warned Wednesday threatens global security.

As U.S.-funded wars pressure cartels in Mexico and Colombia, drug gangs are increasingly infiltrating vulnerable countries, particularly in Latin America and Africa. Drug profits total about $394 billion a year, according to the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime - dwarfing the gross domestic products of many nations and making them easy prey for cartels.

"Violent traffickers are relocating to take advantage of these permissive environments and importing their own brand of justice," the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's intelligence chief Anthony Placido said Wednesday in testimony before a U.S. House subcommittee.

The State Law Enforcement Division is reviewing information city leaders provided Thursday regarding allegations that William Bailey covered up a criminal domestic violence case, according to SLED spokeswoman Jennifer Timmons.

Bailey, the city’s public safety director, is on administrative leave for lying about an unrelated handgun theft.

City Manager John Smithson told The Sun News on Thursday that SLED is investigating the allegations.

The arrests followed a more than four-month investigation that began with information from a state police detective and involved wiretaps and intercepted phone calls. Police seized several hundred grams of cocaine and firearms as part of the probe.

Three other men were arrested, including Hamlin's brother, Albert, who police describe as a major cocaine dealer and the primary target of their investigation. Police say Robert Hamlin, a school resource officer at a Providence high school, helped his brother avoid getting caught by giving names of narcotics detectives and providing descriptions of their police cars, said State Police Capt. David Neill.

The Providence Journal reported on its Web site that Gonsalves is a former driver for Providence Mayor David Cicilline and the husband of the mayor's executive assistant, Xiomara Gonsalves. The Journal said the mayor described his assistant as "incredibly heartbroken."

Cicilline's spokeswoman, Karen Southern, did not return calls seeking comment Thursday night.

Also arrested was Khalid Mason, who in 2007 faced drug dealing charges that were dismissed by a federal judge after a Providence police sergeant testified at a pretrial hearing that he didn't have any notes or reports from his investigation. That case is not connected to the current arrests, police said.

Mason supplied drugs to Albert Hamlin, who would purchase one kilogram of cocaine at a time for about $35,000 and break down the drugs into smaller quantities, which he would then sell, police said.

Gonsalves, 47, is charged with soliciting another to commit a crime. Robert Hamlin, 33, is charged with conspiracy to possess cocaine, and Colanduono, 44, is charged with conspiracy to deal cocaine and compounding and concealing a felony.

A phone message left with the police union was not immediately returned, and it was not immediately clear if the officers had lawyers.

State Police Col. Brendan Doherty told The Associated Press that at least some calls were made when the officers were on duty, though police say there's no evidence that any drug dealing took place at a school.

Doherty said the alleged drug dealing was "the act of a few rogue officers - rogue officers who compromised the trust of the citizens of city of Providence and the state of Rhode Island."

Cicilline called the arrests "gravely disappointing" and said the officers deserve to be prosecuted aggressively.

The investigation is continuing.

Gonsalves was released on personal recognizance by a bail commissioner Thursday evening and is due in court March 18. The other five defendants, including the two officers, are being held without bail overnight and will be arraigned Friday in Providence District Court.

Former Officer Pedro Martinez III Pleads Guilty to Escorting 40 Kilos of Cocaine

A former Laredo Police officer pleads guilty in a federal drug case after escorting what he believed to be 40 kilos of cocaine.

Wednesday morning, Pedro Martinez III, who worked as an officer for six years with the Laredo Police Department, and co-conspirator Guillermo Villareal each plead guilty to conspiracy to poses with intent to distribute cocaine, before U.S. Senior District Court Judge George P. Kazen.

Martinez admitted to meeting with an undercover FBI agent posing as a drug trafficker, back in October and November of 2008.

In their meetings, then-officer Martinez twice agreed to escort vehicles carrying cocaine from Zapata Highway to North Laredo, for two thousand dollars.

On one of the occasions, Martinez escorted the contraband while wearing his Laredo PD uniform and driving a marked patrol unit.

Additionally, Martinez introduced Guillermo Villareal to an unnamed party to facilitate the storage of cocaine at a private residence, which he did.

Villareal went on to sell a quarter kilogram of cocaine to undercover officers in December of 2008 and then again in January of 2009.

Martinez has been ordered released on a one-hundred-thousand-dollar bond.
Guillermo Villareal is still pending bond.

The two men each face a minimum ten year prison sentence.

In response to the conviction, Laredo Police Chief, Carlos Maldonado released a statement saying, "The Laredo Police Department remains committed and steadfast in our resolve to serve and protect the citizens of Laredo and the United States.

In this effort the Laredo Police Department will continue to collaborate and partner with federal, state, and local law enforcement entities to bring those who are inclined to break the law to justice".

Martinez had been on administrative leave by the Laredo Police Department since October of last year. He resigned from the force on Tuesday.

Former Officer, Son, and Others Arrested on Drug Charges

A former Burlington police officer, his son, and five additional defendants have been arrested in connection with a large scale drug ring operating out of Burlington,said Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone today.

The seven defendants were arrested today after search warrants were executed and nearly 200 grams of cocaine and 28 grams of heroin were seized.

The seven defendants are identified as:

* Michael Reynolds, 26, of Burlington, charged with trafficking heroin over 14 grams, conspiracy to traffic heroin over 28 grams, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, possession of a firearm, and possession of ammunition. He was ordered held on $10,000 cash bail.
* Kenneth Reynolds, 45, of Burlington, charged with conspiracy to traffic heroin over 28 grams, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and use of a firearm in commission of a felony. He was ordered held on $10,000 cash bail.
* William Najjar, 21, of Woburn, was charged with trafficking in cocaine over 100 grams, conspiracy to traffic cocaine over 100 grams, distribution of cocaine (11 counts), use of firearm in commission of a felony, possession of firearm, and, possession of ammunition. He was ordered held on $50,000 cash bail.
* David Medur, 27, of Wakefield, was charged with trafficking heroin over 28 grams, conspiracy to traffic heroin over 28 grams, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, possession of a firearm, and possession of ammunition. He was ordered held on $10,000 cash bail.
* Matthew Basile, 38, of Stoneham, was charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin and conspiracy to traffic heroin over 28 grams. He was ordered held on $5,000 cash bail, as well as a probation detainer.
* Coleen Cosgrove, 27, of Waltham, was charged with trafficking heroin over 28 grams, trafficking heroin over 14 grams (4 counts), and conspiracy to traffic heroin over 28 grams. She was ordered held on $5,000 cash bail.
* Derek Clemetson, 28, of Woburn, was charged with conspiracy to traffic heroin over 28 grams and possession of an electrical weapon. He was ordered held on $750 cash bail.

Their next court date is March 8 for pre-trial conference.

“These were significant arrests that resulted in today's seizures of guns and a large amount of heroin and cocaine that were being distributed on our streets. We know that heroin specifically has been responsible for a number of overdose deaths, including young people, which we’ve seen in our county in the last year,” Leone said. “Illegal drug trafficking and weapons charges are serious offenses that are often at the root of many additional and violent crimes. These allegations are made all the worse in that a former police officer is alleged to have disgraced the badge that he once wore, and impugned the good reputation of law enforcement personnel everywhere. We will continue to actively investigate and prosecute drug crimes and I want to thank the Woburn Police Department for their cooperative effort in this investigation."

According to authorities, in December 2009, and January and February of this year, Massachusetts State Police troopers assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office conducted court-authorized wiretap surveillance of several telephone lines that were identified as being used by a large-scale heroin distribution ring operating in Middlesex County. Pursuant to those wiretaps, troopers were able to discover evidence of numerous sales of cocaine and heroin to an apparent large number of customers.

Michael Reynolds was identified as a ringleader of the distribution organization. He was repeatedly intercepted negotiating prices and methods of delivery for heroin and conducting sales of heroin in varying amounts to Matthew Basile, Derek Clemetson and David Medur on numerous occasions.

Michael Reynolds was also identified as a cocaine distributor and was repeatedly intercepted negotiating prices and weights for cocaine. Reynolds made numerous large purchases of cocaine, in quantities consistent with re-distribution, from William Najjar.

During the course of the investigation, Kenneth Reynolds, a former Burlington police officer who retired in 2002, was repeatedly observed driving Michael Reynolds to heroin transactions and was intercepted discussing past and future acts of heroin distribution with Michael Reynolds and others.

On Feb. 10, a search warrant was executed at the Reynolds’ home at 14 Evelyn Road in Burlington. As a result of the search warrant, authorities recovered a firearm, customer lists, and cash money.

During the course of the wire surveillance, Medur was repeatedly intercepted planning and carrying out purchases of large quantities of heroin. On Feb. 10, a search warrant obtained from the Middlesex Superior Court was executed at Medur’s residence at of 31 Melvin St. in Wakefield. Recovered during the search was over 20 grams of heroin, approximately 3.5 grams of cocaine, a firearm, and a variety of prescription pills.

Wire surveillance revealed William Najjar to be a major supplier of cocaine in the Woburn area. He was repeatedly intercepted negotiating sales of cocaine in large quantities to Michael Reynolds, who in turn would repackage and sell the cocaine to generate additional profits. On Feb. 10, a search warrant issued by the Middlesex Superior Court was executed at Najjar’s residence of 31 Waltham St., Woburn. Found during the course of the search was approximately 195 grams of cocaine, a large quantity of U.S. currency, and a firearm.

During the course of the wire surveillance, Derek Clemetson was identified as a heroin and cocaine distributor for the Reynolds Organization. A search warrant obtained from the Middlesex Superior Court was executed at Clemetson’s residence of 9 Middle St., Woburn on Feb. 10. Recovered during the search were numerous small plastic bags consistent with packaging for illegal narcotics and a portable electrical weapon designed to deliver a powerful electric shock.

During the course of the wire surveillance, Basile was identified as a heroin distributor who acquired heroin from the Reynolds organization and re-sold it for profit.

Basile was repeatedly intercepted purchasing heroin from Michael Reynolds and from other sources, often in large quantities that were consistent with redistribution.

Cosgrove was also identified as selling large quantities of heroin to the Reynolds Organization. A search warrant was obtained from the Middlesex Superior Court and was executed at Cosgrove’s residence at 22 Underwood Park in Waltham on Feb. 10. Discovered during the course of the search were numerous controlled substances of Class E.

The investigation continues into the reach and scope of the drug operation and further arrests may be made. The Burlington Police Department has cooperated fully with the investigation.

The Middlesex PACT Unit is a team of prosecutors and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office dedicated to the investigation and prosecution of cases of public integrity, anti-terrorism, corruption, technology, and high-level narcotics.

These charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

This case was investigated by State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney's PACT Unit and the Woburn Police Department. The Assistant District Attorneys assigned to this case are David Solet and John Verner, Chief of the MDAO’s PACT Unit.
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Other Information

Former Officer Sherrod Peace Charged with Distributing Cocaine

A former Durham police officer has been indicted on federal drug-related charges after an investigation by the Durham Police Department and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.

Sherrod Peace, 35, was indicted Wednesday on charges of distributing fewer than 5grams of cocaine base (crack cocaine) and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. He was not in custody Thursday.

Durham Police Chief Jose L. Lopez Sr. received a complaint in early October that Peace was involved in illegal activities, and started criminal and internal investigations, a news release says. The criminal investigation was conducted by Durham police investigators with assistance from the DEA Task Force.

Peace joined the Durham Police Department in 2003 and was assigned to the Uniform Patrol Bureau. He resigned Dec. 31, 2009.

Officer Juan Acosta Accused of Using Badge to Help Drug Dealer

A New York City police officer has been accused of using his badge to help a friend run a cocaine-distribution operation, providing tips on which streets were lightly patrolled by officers and stealing cash from a rival drug courier in the guise of a police seizure, officials said Friday.

The officer, Juan Acosta, joined the Police Department in 2000 and had been assigned to the 43rd Precinct in the Soundview section of the Bronx until his arrest Thursday. He has resigned from the force, the police said.

Since at least 2005, Officer Acosta served as a kind of enforcer for his friend, Yorick Rafael Corneil-Perez, as they and others worked to distribute “multiple kilograms of cocaine” in and around the city, according to the United States attorney’s office in Manhattan.

The men, both 34 and from the Bronx, have been charged with participating in a cocaine-distribution conspiracy and with conspiring to commit extortion in connection with Officer Acosta’s improper use of his authority, a statement from the office said.

According to an indictment in Federal District Court in Manhattan, Officer Acosta used a police car in mid-2005 “to rob a drug courier of several hundred thousand dollars in cash derived from a drug deal” that involved Mr. Corniel-Perez. It was a ruse to make it look as if law enforcement authorities had seized the money, but Mr. Acosta and Mr. Corniel-Perez “took the cash,” the court papers said.

In October, the court papers said, the officer, “a k a Tino,” and Mr. Corneil-Perez, also known as Rafi, “agreed to provide protection for a 10-kilogram shipment of cocaine” in a Queens meeting with someone posing as a narcotics trafficker from Colombia who was actually working as a confidential government informant. They discussed how Officer Acosta could help ensure the safe transfer of drugs from a Long Island warehouse to the Bronx.

At a meeting, on Nov. 10, Officer Acosta showed handwritten notes identifying the “police precincts in the vicinity of the Long Island warehouse and the local routes that would be less likely to be patrolled by police during transportation of the narcotics to the Bronx,” the papers said.

Two days later, the officer drove to the warehouse in a rental car and picked up a duffel bag filled with fake narcotics from a second confidential informant, the papers said. When he got back to the Bronx, he was paid $15,000 for the job, they said.

Mr. Acosta was held without bail after pleading not guilty at his arraignment on Friday before Magistrate Judge Kevin N. Fox.

Mr. Corneil-Perez was held without bail after his arraignment on Thursday.

Officer Francis Brevetti Arrested on Drug Charges

On Sunday, September 20, Watertown police executed an arrest warrant for Francis Brevetti, 29, of 11 Rustic Acres Drive, Wolcott on drug possession charges. Mr. Brevetti is a member of the Waterbury Police Department.

Mr. Brevetti was allegedly discovered to be in possession of marijuana and less than three grams of cocaine when he was involved in a motor vehicle accident in Watertown in the early morning on Sunday, September 20.

Mr. Brevetti has been charged with possession of narcotics, possession with intent to sell cocaine, possession with intent to sell cocaine within 1,500 feet of a school, possession of marijuana, possession with intent to sell marijuana, possession with intent to sell marijuana within 1,500 of a school and possession of paraphernalia. He was released on $100,000 bond.

Watertown Police spokesman Lt. Mark Raimo reported that Mr. Brevetti "was not arrested at the accident scene," as Mr. Brevetti was taken to a hospital.

"We completed an investigation and arrested Mr. Brevetti on warrant," said Lt. Raimo.

Lt. Raimo declined any comment regarding what the investigation had revealed, but Mr. Brevetti's lawyer has stated that he seized the drugs while on duty, but forgot to turn them over at the police station.

According to police, the drugs were found in Mr. Brevetti's Ford F-150 after he was involved in a head-on accident with a tree at about 2 a.m. Mr. Brevetti was taken from the scene by ambulance for treatment of injuries to his face and head, after he had exited the vehicle and was found stumbling in the roadway, police said.

However, as officers were having the vehicle towed, they discovered a large amount of drugs in the rear of the vehicle.

Officers seized several small plastic baggies stuffed with marijuana, a small baggie containing a small quantity of cocaine, and a digital scale used for weighing small items.

The arrest warrant stated that there were more than 51 grams of marijuana in the baggies. Police seized the drugs and launched a criminal investigation. In a press release issued by the Watertown Police Department, Police Chief John Gavallas stated, "the arrest of a police officer on charges such as these saddens the entire law enforcement community."

Mr. Brevetti was due to appear in court on September 29.

Officer Francis Brevetti Faces Drug Charges

A Waterbury police officer has been charged possessing cocaine and marijuana with intent to sell, but insists he seized the drugs during an investigation and just forgot to turn them in at the police department.

Twenty-nine-year-old Francis Brevetti of Wolcott was arrested by Watertown police Thursday. Officers say Brevetti crashed his pickup into a tree Sunday and police found the drugs in his truck.

Police say they found nearly 2 ounces of marijuana, less than 3 grams of powder cocaine and a digital scale.

Brevetti has been suspended with pay pending an investigation. He posted $100,000 bail and is to be arraigned in state court Tuesday.

Brevetti's lawyer says his client seized the drugs while on duty and put them in a bag that he forgot to turn in at the police station.
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http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local-beat/Search-for-Missing-Boater-61393407.html

Officer Travis Ludwig Arrest on Drug Charges

A Tulsa police officer is free on bond after his arrest on drug complaints Tuesday night.

Police arrested 37-year-old Travis K. Ludwig at his home Tuesday evening. According to the arrest and booking report, police obtained several search reports and that those search warrants turned up three bags of a tannish-white substance, drug scales and money.

The report says the substance field-tested positive for cocaine.

Today, we spoke with Ludwig's attorney, Scott Wood, who says his client is innocent.

"Travis Ludwig is not a drug dealer," Wood said. "He abhors drug dealers and is not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing in this matter."

Police say they learned of the alleged drug dealing during an internal administrative investigation into Ludwig. We're told he has now been suspended until the investigation is complete.

He posted $10,000 bond and was released at 2:47 a.m. Wednesday.

In January 2006, Ludwig was disciplined by the Police Department for his relationship with a married exotic dancer.

He reportedly told the woman not to cooperate with an Internal Affairs investigation into the matter, according to documents that are part of a federal civil rights lawsuit filed by the woman's husband.

In tape-recorded conversations and depositions, Ludwig urged the woman, Crystal Garr, not to talk to Tulsa Police Department Internal Affairs officers investigating him.

In 2005 Ludwig conducted a search of Garr's husband's house that resulted in drug charges against the man, Shannon Coyle.

Those charges have since been dropped.

Records show that Ludwig and Crystal Garr married in June 2009.

Officer Michael Sylvester Arrested for Theft & Possession

The court documents just filed in the arrest of a Baltimore police officer accused of stealing money from a drug dealer (who turned out to be an undercover detective) provide a detailed account of the case.

Authorities say the officer was targeted because of complaints and moved from a drug task force working Pennsylvania Avenue to the Northwest Police District. There, he was put in charge of training a rookie cop (done, police tell me, to avoid tipping the officer that he was under suspicion). The rookie is not in any trouble.

Members of the department's Internal affairs Integrity Unit set up the sting for Thursday night in the 3900 block of Carlisle Ave., in an area normally devoid of drug dealers. At 9:45 p.m., an undercover officer parked a green Cadillac at Carlisle and Mt. Holley Street while another officer called 911 and described a suspicious green vehicle driving around the block, supposedly looking to buy drugs.

At 9:48 p.m., a dispatcher sent Officer Michael Sylvester (in picture) to the call and told him a person was sitting in the Cadillac for 15 minutes and "acting strange." At 9:50 p.m., court documents say Sylvester pulled up beside the vehicle and shouted, "What are you doing here?" The undercover officer answered, "I'm waiting for my home boy to come meet me."

The court documents say Sylvester ordered the driver to turn off his ignition, turn over his license, get out of the car and sit on the curb. The man gave Sylvester permission to search the car and he emptied his pockets onto the front seat of the car. The charging papers say Sylvester conducted the search alone. After the search, court documents say Sylvester told the driver he was free to go and drove off.

Police say that the uncover officer had $259 in marked bills in his pants pocket and an additional $135 in marked bills in the arm rest of the Cadillac. After Sylvester and the training officer left, the undercover says in court documents that $50 was missing from the money that was in his pocket and $20 was missing from the money that had been in the car.

Undercover police officers followed Sylvester through the remainder of his shift, which ended at 11 p.m. They stopped Sylvester in the parking lot of the Northwestern District after he had changed into civilian clothes and was about to get into his personal vehicle. A lieutenant escorted the officer to an office while detectives searched his locker and reported, according to the charging documents, finding three blue zip lock bags containing suspected cocaine in the breast pocket of his uniform.

Police say Sylvester, 29, is being charged with theft and drug possession.
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http://www.abc2news.com/news/local/story/Officer-Arrested-for-Theft-and-Drug-Charges/lRUMPY1yvUGSDMKYCHb2Cw.cspx

Cst. Sheldon Cook Accused of Stealing Fake Cocaine

A Peel Regional Police officer accused of stealing bogus bricks of cocaine from a delivery truck in Mississauga testified today that he saw his immediate boss take a box containing the unknown substance from the vehicle and walk away with it.

Cst. Sheldon Cook, 40, told court he didn't know why Det. Marty Rykhoff removed the box from inside the truck on the night of Nov. 16, 2005. But he suspected Rykhoff had a good reason because of his morality experience.

Cook, one of several officers working under Rykhoff that night, is accused of stealing 15 of 102 bricks of the "cocaine" seized hours earlier from a courier cargo truck at the force's Lakeshore community station in Mississauga.

Cook has pleaded not guilty to seven criminal charges.

The drugs turned out to be flour, part of a botched RCMP controlled delivery from Peru to Canada that went missing 12 hours earlier after arriving at Mississauga's Pearson International Airport.

Cook, a 14-year veteran, said he never thought the drugs he's accused of stealing were real.

Having some street crime experience with drugs, Cook rubbed a bit of the white, chalky, powdery substance found in a football-sized beige package between his fingers to see if he could tell what it was.

"Usually cocaine has a crystal look and it breaks down into an oily substance when it's rubbed between your fingers," Cook said. "This was dull. It remained chalky. There was also no odour usually associated with cocaine or heroin ..."

In February, Rykhoff denied taking any of the boxes with the cocaine-like substance when he testified as a federal Crown witness in the trial that began last November.
He also denied framing Cook by stealing what he thought were bricks of cocaine and then placing them in the trunk of the accused man's police cruiser.

Rykhoff, a 24-year-veteran officer, also denied telling Cook to “secure” the box - and that he would return it to morality the following day.

Defence lawyer Pat Ducharme has suggested this trial that Cook didn’t take any of the suspected drugs and didn’t know anything about them until he opened the trunk of his cruiser at the end of his shift.

He suggested Cook took the box home and put it in his garage under Rykhoff’s orders, believing his immediate boss would pick it up the next day. But Rykhoff didn’t show up. Instead, he went to Halifax with friends for a college football game, faking illness and phoning in sick.

Rykhoff was subsequently convicted of Police Act offences and docked five days pay. He was also suspended until mid-January 2006.

Two days later, RCMP investigators used a GPS signal hidden in the missing box to locate the 15 bricks in a compartment in a Sea-Do in the garage at Cook’s Cambridge home. Officers executing a search warrant also found marijuana and several MP3 players allegedly taken from an un-related investigation.

Federal prosecutors David Rowcliffe and Ania Weiler say Cook took the fake bricks of cocaine, which he believed were real, during his involvement as part of Rykhoff’s crew.

Cook is charged with attempting to possess a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking, possession of stolen property (MP3 players) from a police investigation and breach of trust as a police officer. He remains suspended with pay.

The trial continues this afternoon.

Probation Officer Armando Mora Arrested for Cocaine Trafficking

A federal probation officer is expected to a face a judge after being arrested in a cocaine trafficking and bribery case.

U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested Armando Mora on Wednesday.

Authorities said the 36-year-old Edinburg man worked as a federal probation officer in Rio Grande City.

Federal prosecutors told Action 4 News that Mora is accused of taking thousands of dollars in bribes to conduct background checks on truck drivers for a local drug trafficking organization.

Investigators believe that Mora told drug traffickers not to hire two drivers because they were undercover agents.

A third truck driver was not hired because he was an FBI informant who was on probation and supervised by Mora.

Investigators believe Mora worked for the drug trafficking organization between February and June 2009 allowing them to move 738 pounds of cocaine.

The 36-year-old man remains in custody where he is expected to appear before U.S. Magistrate Court Judge Peter Ormsby on Thursday morning.

If convicted, Mora could 10 years up to life in prison and millions of dollars in fines for the drug trafficking charge.

The bribery charge is punishable up to 15 years in prison and thousands in fines.