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.

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.

Officer Matthew Cordone Arrested on Drug Charges

A Kennett Square police officer has been suspended with pay after being arrested on drug charges Tuesday by state police, authorities said. Officer Matthew Thomas Cordone, 36, of West Grove, tried to deliver "a number of pills" in a reclosable bag to a location on Woodcrest Road in Penn Township, a state police spokesman said.

The pills, which troopers believed to be the tranquilizer Xanax, were being analyzed yesterday at a state lab. Cordone, who was not on duty at the time of his arrest, was released after posting $5,000 bail. Kennett Square Police Chief Edward Zunino declined to comment

Two Palm Beach County Officers Arrested

A Palm Beach County Sheriff's Officer has been arrested on drug charges, while another deputy is accused of obstructing justice, state attorney Michael McAuliffe announced Monday.

Deputy Sarah Thompson was charged with three counts of purchasing or possession with intent to purchase oxycodone.

State prosecutors said Thompson bought or possessed the prescription pain pills on three separate occasions -- Jan. 17, Feb. 7 and Feb. 11.

Deputy Carlos Lisboa was also charged with fleeing or attempting to elude a marked police car and resisting an officer without violence.

Thompson could be sentenced up to 15 years in prison for each count if convicted. Lisboa could be sentenced up to five years in prison if convicted of fleeing or attempting to elude a marked police car, and an additional year in the county jail if convicted of the second charge.

Probation Officer Michael Ayer Charged with Delivering Heroin

A Stoughton man who works as a probation officer for juveniles in Rhode Island was arrested Tuesday afternoon after police say he sold heroin to an undercover officer, the Providence Journal is reporting.

Michael Ayer, 49, of 46 Frank Road, faces two counts of delivering heroin to a police officer. He was scheduled to be arraigned in Kent County District Court on Wednesday.

The Providence Journal is reporting that Ayer was arrested around 2 p.m. Tuesday. Rhode Island police say he was driving a state-registered vehicle and using his state cell phone to sell drugs.

The State Police High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force began the undercover operation last month, acting on a tip from an informant.

Ayers has been a probation officer with the state Department of Children, Youth and Families for 14 years, the newspaper reported. Police said there is no indication that Ayers sold drugs to anyone he was supervising.

Corrections Officer Charles Rowe Arrested on Drug Charges

A veteran Calipatria State Prison Corrections officer could soon be on the other side of the jail cell.

A prison official says Charles Rowe was arrested by FBI agents at his home in Brawley on Friday.

The 42-year old sits behind bars at the Imperial County Jail facing charges on drug related offenses.

We're told Rowe has worked at Calipatria State Prison for the past 17 years.

Charges Will Not be Dismissed Against Officer Vanessa Mason

A motion to dismiss the remaining criminal charges against a Rochester police officer accused of misconduct has been denied.

Judge Joseph Chase issued his findings in an order dated Tuesday in the case of Vanessa Mason. She now returns to court Feb. 4 for a plea hearing.

Mason was put on administrative leave in April and charged with three felonies and two gross misdemeanors. She was accused of tipping off drug dealers about narcotics investigations and taking money to help pick up and deliver drugs.

Paul Beaumaster, Rice County attorney, is serving as special prosecutor for Olmsted County to avoid a conflict of interest because Mason, 32, is a city employee. At a hearing in October, Beaumaster dismissed the two felony bribery charges against Mason. A key witness had recanted his testimony, but Beaumaster would not say if that was behind the dismissal.

The remaining felony alleges Mason gave a warning about an impending narcotics search warrant. The two gross misdemeanor charges allege misconduct by a public employee. She denies all the allegations.

Her attorney, Fred Bruno of Minneapolis, said prosecutors can't prove the charges and asked that the charges be dismissed.

Chase heard the attorneys' arguments in October and gave them time to submit written briefs.

In his opinion issued Tuesday, Chase called it an interesting case involving unique circumstances and questions of law.

The remaining felony count alleges that Mason called an acquaintance, Terrance Burkhalter, a drug dealer, about a planned drug raid at the home of Bryan Piens.

Bruno contends there's no proof she warned the people at Piens' house. He said they were still in the house when the search was conducted. He said the alleged tip-off was to Burkhalter's phone and no connection has been shown or suggested between Burkhalter and Piens.

Burkhalter has recanted a statement he allegedly gave police about letting someone know the police were coming. Chase said Burkhalter's credibility is a question for jurors.

The gross misdemeanor counts allege misconduct on Mason's part, such as providing restricted information and doing warrant checks for Burkhalter and another drug dealer, Jerell Moore, who now is in federal prison.

Chase denied the motions to dismiss those charges.
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Officer Misty Chandler Terminated After Drug Investigation

Termination processes have been started for Catoosa Police Officer Misty Chandler in the wake of a federal drug investigation.

The Catoosa Police Department and Catoosa City Hall have been in the spotlight after seven arrest warrants were issued Thursday following a five-month long drug investigation.

The News On 6 has learned Chandler was also a target in that investigation. Her court case is to be scheduled within the next 72 days.

Catoosa Assistant Police Chief Paul Whitmire, who's been on paid suspension since shortly after the investigation began, arrived at the police station Thursday after receiving a phone call informing him he'd been indicted for obtaining prescription painkillers illegally. U.S. Marshals were waiting for him.

Former Officer Alhinde Weems Pleads Guilty to Dealing Drugs

A former Philadelphia police officer pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court to dealing drugs and planning to rob a supposed drug stash. Alhinde Weems, 34, faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison - and a maximum of life - when sentenced in May.

Weems, a 51/2-year veteran when he was arrested in March, was a drug dealer before he became an officer and continued his dealings while on the force, according to authorities. He was arrested at an area hotel as he was about to rob a man he believed was a drug dealer, but who was really a federal undercover agent.

"He appeared to be motivated by greed," Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Carrillo said yesterday.

Weems, whose last assignment was in West Philadelphia's 18th Police District, admitted to selling crack cocaine, buying and transporting what he believed to be genuine cocaine in 2008-09, and planning, and attempting to commit, a gunpoint home-invasion robbery of a drug dealer.

Officer Debra Davis Arrested for Drug Possession

A Jackson police officer faces drug charges in Miami, Fla., Jackson Police Department officials confirmed Monday.

Precinct 4 Officer Debra Davis was arrested and charged with drug possession over the Christmas holidays, police officials said. She has since returned to Jackson, Assistant Chief Lee Vance said.

“Officer Davis has been removed from the precinct and internally reassigned,” Vance said. “That means that she no longer has police duties but is doing other duties within JPD as her case is being investigated."

Vance said Miami police are investigating and handling the case against Davis.

Five Toledo Officers Face Criminal Charges

All of five of the officers face a variety of criminal or administrative punishments.

Five Toledo police officers are being accused of either driving drunk or using drugs, just in the last six weeks. The numbers have some concerned.

It's the job of Deb Chany and the Sylvania Community Action Team to try to keep Lucas County teens away from drugs and alcohol. So when she heard a Toledo police officer was charged with drunk driving she was concerned.

Deb Chany, executive director of the Sylvania Community Action Team says, "It saddened me at first because these are our role models. These are the people we trust to help our community be safe and healthy."

Shawn Parra, 34, is accused of driving drunk, crashing his vehicle then leaving the scene. The incident happened just before 3:00 Thursday morning.

"It really sends a mixed message. We are kind of fighting a battle, saying oh my goodness here are people trying to help our community be safe and make good choices and they aren't themselves."

Two weeks ago, during a random drug test, two other Toledo police officers tested positive for an illegal substance. In late October, Officer Donald Mitchell was arrested after showing signs of drunkenness while on the job. It was the second that month. James Breier was charged with driving drunk after showing signs of intoxication at an accident scene. Chany says teens will take notice, not only of the actions, but also the punishment.

"What are the consequences going to be of that I think people are going to sit back and look at that," says Chany.

All of five of the officers face a variety of criminal or administrative punishments.

Deputy Manuel Silva Arrested for Extortion

A Broward County Sheriff’s deputy was arrested on extortion, burglary and drug charges, marking the third time this year a Broward deputy has been charged with a crime.

Manuel Silva, 34, was arrested Friday under allegations that he possessed oxycodone and other drugs without a prescription.

Sheriff officials have not released any more information, including whether he committed crimes while on duty.

He remains in jail, according to the Broward County Jail website.

Broward County Sheriff Manuel Silva was arrested on drug, burglary and extortion charges on Friday, marking the third Broward deputy to be criminally charged this year In August, Broward Sheriff’s deputy Jonathan Bleiweiss was arrested for allegedly using his authority to coerce sex from male illegal immigrants. He faces 58 charges.

In April, Broward Sheriff’s deputy Charles Grady resigned after he was sentenced to two years probation for inappropriately touching women during traffic stops.

Officer Kyle Zumbrunn Arrested on Drug Charges

An officer with the Weston Police Department has been arrested on a pair of drug-related charges, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

Kyle A. Zumbrunn, 26, was arrested on Tuesday by the KBI for sale of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school and using a telephonic device to facilitate a drug transaction. The KBI was acting on a request from the Atchison Police Department.

Zumbrunn was arrested after he sold a suspected controlled substance to an undercover KBI agent, officials said. He was slated to make his first appearance in court on Wednesday.

Officer Lowell Duke Arrested on Drug Charges

Memphis Police say a tip during a routine traffic stop ended with Officer Lowell Duke being indicted on drug charges. Federal agents say Duke was part of a drug operation that worked the Lamar and Cherry area. Ten people including Duke are now facing charges.

Police would not give details about Duke's role in the operation, and would not say if other officers could be involved. Federal agents will say that the operation was sophisticated. Certain people worked security, others transported the drugs. Some were sellers and others were stashers.

Police say Duke has been under investigation for several months. During that time he was been off the streets on “desk duty.” Duke told Eyewitness News he would not comment on his arrest.

Police Director Larry Godwin says “There are good police officers out there. This is a guy that chose to go the wrong way.” Godwin admits this is a blemish on the department saying, “I know it doesn’t look good for the department, but on the other hand, we are taking care of our business.”

And Godwin points out this investigation was started by police officers, “ You’ve got good cops, locking up a bad cop.”
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http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/dpp/news/local/082809_Memphis_Police_Officer_Charged_in_Drug_Investigatio

Kyle Willaford Pleads Guilty to Drug Charges

There is a guilty plea from a retired Bartlesville Police officer to a number of drug charges.

On Thursday, 10th Judicial District Judge John Kane accepted a guilty plea to 14 counts of felony larceny of a controlled dangerous substance from Kyle Willaford.

The 48-year-old Willaford was originally charged with 18 counts of the crime, but on Wednesday, the state dropped four of the counts. The charges were the result of the alleged theft of drugs, including Lortab and Hydrocodone, from the Bartlesville Police Department's evidence room.

The thefts began in 2000 while Willaford was employed by the Bartlesville Police Department. He later retired.

Sentencing is set for September 10th.

Officer Michael Wilson Arrested on Drug Charges

A Holly Springs, Mississippi police officer faces drug charges tonight. He's accused of selling drugs to an undercover narcotics officer.

The officer was arrested last week after being indicted by a grand jury. The Holly Springs Police Chief who says he was in shock when Sheriff's deputies showed up at his office to arrest one of his own.

Holly Springs Police Officer Michael Wilson was arrested on the job and in uniform at the Holly Springs Police Department last Tuesday.

Chief Robert Pearson says, "That is not only surprising, that hurts."

Wilson was indicted by a grand jury earlier this month. According to the indictment, the officer sold hydrocodone, to an undercover Marshall County narcotics officer in February.

Police Chief Robert Pearson, says Marshall County deputies arrested Wilson in his office.

Pearson says, "I summonsed him into my office, relieved him of his side arm and relieved him of duty and suspended him. At that time officers with the sheriff office took him into custody."

Wilson was booked into the Marshall County Jail on one count of selling a controlled substance. The police chief says the drugs Wilson allegedly sold, did not come from the police department.

Pearson says, "We always hate to see police officers get involved in that type of illegal activity it hurts the department and everyone else here."

Wilson was hired by the previous police chief and had been with the police department just 4 years. Chief Pearson described him as a "decent person", but says he has no sympathy for officers accused of breaking the law.

Pearson says, "What I would like people to know is I and most officers want to root out individuals who commit these illegal acts. That is a priority for me."

If convicted, Wilson faces up to 20 years in prison. The police chief says Wilson has a wife and 2 small children. He's out on bond.

We tried contacting him today but were unable to get in touch with him.
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Photo & Information: http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/dpp/news/mississippi/072809_Officer_Arrested_for_Selling_Drugs

Officer Vanessa Mason Accused of Tipping Off Drug Dealers

A Rochester police officer accused of tipping off drug dealers about narcotics investigations and taking money to help pick up and deliver drugs made her first court appearance Thursday.

Vanessa Nicole Mason, 31, is charged with three felony and two gross misdemeanor counts. The complaint was filed in mid-April. Mason has been on administrative leave since April 7.

Olmsted District Judge Joseph Chase ordered that Mason be released on her own recognizance. Chase ordered Mason not to initiate contact with the people in the complaint and to terminate the conversation if one of them phones her.

Her next hearing is July 7. Some evidence must still be analyzed by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

After the complaint was filed, her attorney, Fred Bruno of Minneapolis, called the case "a piece of garbage that's based on the uncorroborated word of criminals looking for favors." He said Mason denies the allegations.

Mason has been a patrol officer in Rochester for 41/2 years.

The case is being prosecuted by Rice County Attorney Paul Beaumaster to avoid any conflict of interest.
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http://kaaltv.com/article/stories/S943409.shtml?cat=10226

Former Trooper Marvin McKinnon Faces Drug Charges

A former state trooper was arrested at his Nahant home on Wednesday afternoon on numerous drug charges.

Marvin McKinnon, 49, 16B Seabreeze Lane, was charged with possession with intent to distribute a Class D substance, possession and cultivation, according to police.

Lt. Thomas Hutton said McKinnon is a former state trooper and the arrest followed a lengthy investigation that got underway after police received a tip that McKinnon was dealing drugs.

"A significant number of marijuana plants and a significant amount of marijuana were recovered at the scene," he said.

Hutton said Nahant Police obtained a search warrant out of Lynn District Court and executed it Wednesday.

"The execution of the search warrant culminated a lengthy investigation into the dealings of Mr. McKinnon," he said. "Subsequently an arrest was made. Officers Armand Conti and Timothy Furlong and myself made the arrest."
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http://www3.whdh.com/news/articles/local/BO113845/

Deputy Scott Payne Arrested for Stealing Fuel

A Gordon County Sheriff’s deputy has been arrested after an investigation linked him to the theft of fuel.

Scott W. Payne, 37, of Derby Lane, Calhoun, has been terminated as a deputy sheriff and jailed on theft and drug charges, Gordon County Sheriff Mitch Ralston said.

According to Ralston:

Upon assuming office on Jan. 1, 2009, Ralton ordered a thorough audit and review of the operation of the Sheriff’s Office.

Part of this audit included an examination of fuel consumption in official vehicles. A serious discrepancy was noted concerning a particular deputy sheriff in the patrol division. As this discrepancy appeared very serious, Ralston contacted the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) to conduct an independent criminal investigation.

This investigation, which began in April, spanned several weeks and concluded with Payne’s arrest Monday by the GBI on theft charges.

When Payne was being allowed to retrieve personal belongings from a patrol car, he attempted to grab and destroy a cigarette box found to contain what is believed to be marijuana.

In addition to the theft charge, Payne will be charged with violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act by the GBI. He was booked at the Gordon County Jail and housed in a neighboring jurisdiction pending bond proceedings.

Payne had been employed in the Sheriff’s Office since November 1995, serving under two previous administrations. He was certified as a peace officer in October 1997.

Deputy Scott Payne Arrested for Theft and Drug Charges

A Gordon County Sheriff’s deputy has been arrested after an investigation linked him to the theft of fuel.

Scott W. Payne, 37, of Derby Lane, Calhoun, has been terminated as a deputy sheriff and jailed on theft and drug charges, Gordon County Sheriff Mitch Ralston said.

According to Ralston:

Upon assuming office on Jan. 1, 2009, Ralton ordered a thorough audit and review of the operation of the Sheriff’s Office.

Part of this audit included an examination of fuel consumption in official vehicles. A serious discrepancy was noted concerning a particular deputy sheriff in the patrol division. As this discrepancy appeared very serious, Ralston contacted the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) to conduct an independent criminal investigation.

This investigation, which began in April, spanned several weeks and concluded with Payne’s arrest Monday by the GBI on theft charges.

When Payne was being allowed to retrieve personal belongings from a patrol car, he attempted to grab and destroy a cigarette box found to contain what is believed to be marijuana.

In addition to the theft charge, Payne will be charged with violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act by the GBI. He was booked at the Gordon County Jail and housed in a neighboring jurisdiction pending bond proceedings.

Payne had been employed in the Sheriff’s Office since November 1995, serving under two previous administrations. He was certified as a peace officer in October 1997.
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http://www.coosavalleynews.com/np80763.htm