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Busted Cops Catch a Break

By Jeralyn, Section Misconduct
Posted on Thu May 12, 2005 at 03:20:39 PM EST
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The FBI announced today that criminal charges are being filed against 16 current and former U.S. soldiers, cops, prison guards and an INS agent who allowed 1,230 pounds of cocaine to get through Arizona checkpoints and accepted more than $222,000 in bribes. It was a sting operation conducted by the FBI for the past three and a half years. The drugs they used were drugs seized in other raids, and none of the drugs made it to the street.

Those charged include a former Immigration and Naturalization Service inspector, a former Army sergeant, a former federal prison guard, current and former members of the Arizona Army National Guard and the state corrections department, and a Nogales police officer, officials said.

None have been arrested. All are going to plead guilty. Talk about a sweet deal....the Government charged them only with a conspiracy to commit bribery and extortion offense that carries a maximum penalty of five years. Since drug counts (and conspiracy to commit drug crimes) carry a maximum of 20 years, and have mandatory minimum penalties, these guys got quite a break.

Under the federal sentencing guidelines (now advisory rather than mandatory), had these guys been charged with conspiracy to import
1, 230 pounds of cocaine, or aiding and abetting the importation, distribution or possession with intent to distribute that amount of cocaine, they'd be looking at double-digit sentences and ten year mandatory minimums.

Even with credit for cooperation in investigating and prosecuting others involved in the scheme, this is still a sweetheart deal that most defendants never see.

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    Busted Cops Catch a Break | 5 comments (5 topical)
    Re: Busted Cops Catch a Break (none / 0) (#1)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 12:59:01 PM EST
    Prohibition works. No corruption, no government employees involved with the trafficking of illegal narcotics. Nothing of the kind. *sarcasm mode on*

    Re: Busted Cops Catch a Break (none / 0) (#2)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 12:59:01 PM EST
    It's stuff like this that makes me think my Mena, Arkansas tinfoil hat isn't so foily after all.

    Re: Busted Cops Catch a Break (none / 0) (#3)
    by Che's Lounge on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 12:59:01 PM EST
    "Just as every cop is a criminal, And AAAWWWWLLL the sinners SAINTS!" Stones, Sympathy for the Devil

    Re: Busted Cops Catch a Break (none / 0) (#4)
    by The Heretik on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 12:59:01 PM EST
    I cannot imagine how this will increase respect for the law or for law enforcement personnel. While I suppose it may be an extreme stretch, I am curious whether any enhancements will be considered by the sentencing judge when these sentences are handed down. Not to speak too much to the absurdity of some of the mandatory sentencing provisions currently on the books but . . . these guys were almost certainly all carrying firearms when these crimes were committed. Just wondering . . . .

    Re: Busted Cops Catch a Break (none / 0) (#5)
    by Pete Guither on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 12:59:01 PM EST
    Good thing they didn't try to eat a joint. That's apparently worth 40 years to some people.

    Busted Cops Catch a Break | 5 comments (5 topical)