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Baltimore Officers Accused Of Robbing Drug Dealers
Prosecutors Allege Officers Resold Drug Dealers' Stock
POSTED: 7:44 pm EDT May 11, 2005
UPDATED: 12:59 pm EDT May 12, 2005
BALTIMORE -- A federal grand jury indicted Wednesday two Baltimore police officers of robbing drug dealers, then turning around and selling the drugs themselves.
The five-count indictment alleges that the officers took part in alleged conspiracy beginning last August to the present.
Video
Investigation
Jayne Miller Reports: Feds Indict Cops On Alleged Drug Scheme
The U.S. Attorney's Office announced Wednesday the indictments of William King, 35, of Baltimore, and Antonio Murray, 34, of Abingdon.
Prosecutors said the officers used their police powers and service weapons to detain drug dealers. According to the indictment, prosecutors accuse the officers of using force, arrest and prosecution threats to pressure drug dealers.
The officers also stand accused of taking whatever drugs and cash the dealers had -- in some cases, cocaine and marijuana -- and letting the dealers go without charges.
Authorities arrested King and Murray Wednesday and also indicted a third man -- Antonio Mosby, 39, of Baltimore -- but he remains at large.
Prosecutors accuse Mosby of acting as a lookout and informant for King and Murray, identifying potential drug dealers and the locations of drugs and drug proceeds on the streets of Baltimore.
"It was a matter of finding street-level drug dealers and splitting drug proceeds," said acting Maryland U.S. Attorney Allen Loucks. "These corrupt police officers betrayed their shields, their fellow officers and the citizens they were sworn to protect."
"This shows that no one is above the law, not even those responsible for enforcing the law," Baltimore City Police Commissioner Leonard Hamm said.
King, a 12-year police veteran, and Murray, a 13-year police veteran, both face conspiracy drug interference and drug possession and distribution charges. They are scheduled to appear in court Thursday.
If convicted, all three could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for conspiracy to interfere by robbery and extortion; 40 years and a $2 million fine for conspiracy drug possession and distribution; and 20 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine for gun charges in a drug crime.
King could also face a maximum sentence of 40 years and a $2 million fine under a fourth count charging him with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, in addition to five years and a $250,000 fine under a fifth count charging him with distribution of marijuana.
Stay with TheWBALChannel.com and WBAL-TV 11 News for the latest news updates.
Wanna bet they are suspended with pay, pending outcome.
Baltimore Officers Accused Of Robbing Drug Dealers
Prosecutors Allege Officers Resold Drug Dealers' Stock
POSTED: 7:44 pm EDT May 11, 2005
UPDATED: 12:59 pm EDT May 12, 2005
BALTIMORE -- A federal grand jury indicted Wednesday two Baltimore police officers of robbing drug dealers, then turning around and selling the drugs themselves.
The five-count indictment alleges that the officers took part in alleged conspiracy beginning last August to the present.
Video
Investigation
Jayne Miller Reports: Feds Indict Cops On Alleged Drug Scheme
The U.S. Attorney's Office announced Wednesday the indictments of William King, 35, of Baltimore, and Antonio Murray, 34, of Abingdon.
Prosecutors said the officers used their police powers and service weapons to detain drug dealers. According to the indictment, prosecutors accuse the officers of using force, arrest and prosecution threats to pressure drug dealers.
The officers also stand accused of taking whatever drugs and cash the dealers had -- in some cases, cocaine and marijuana -- and letting the dealers go without charges.
Authorities arrested King and Murray Wednesday and also indicted a third man -- Antonio Mosby, 39, of Baltimore -- but he remains at large.
Prosecutors accuse Mosby of acting as a lookout and informant for King and Murray, identifying potential drug dealers and the locations of drugs and drug proceeds on the streets of Baltimore.
"It was a matter of finding street-level drug dealers and splitting drug proceeds," said acting Maryland U.S. Attorney Allen Loucks. "These corrupt police officers betrayed their shields, their fellow officers and the citizens they were sworn to protect."
"This shows that no one is above the law, not even those responsible for enforcing the law," Baltimore City Police Commissioner Leonard Hamm said.
King, a 12-year police veteran, and Murray, a 13-year police veteran, both face conspiracy drug interference and drug possession and distribution charges. They are scheduled to appear in court Thursday.
If convicted, all three could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for conspiracy to interfere by robbery and extortion; 40 years and a $2 million fine for conspiracy drug possession and distribution; and 20 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine for gun charges in a drug crime.
King could also face a maximum sentence of 40 years and a $2 million fine under a fourth count charging him with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, in addition to five years and a $250,000 fine under a fifth count charging him with distribution of marijuana.
Stay with TheWBALChannel.com and WBAL-TV 11 News for the latest news updates.
Wanna bet they are suspended with pay, pending outcome.
