Three people accused of being part of a federal investigation into dirty police officers are due in court on Tuesday. Ten current and former officers, as well as five others, allegedly provided protection to drug dealers.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for DeKalb Police Officer Dorian Williams, former DeKalb jailer Monyette McLaurin and Gregory Lee Harvey.
"Drug dealers will occasionally try to enlist dirty cops to assist them in protecting their transactions, to protect them from legitimate law enforcement from intervening in the drug transaction, and sometimes to protect them from rival drug dealers from ripping them off," said U.S. Attorney Sally Yates.
The U.S. Attorney's Office used an undercover sting operation to build its case. The year-long investigation accuses Williams of wearing his DeKalb police uniform and patrolling the area in his squad car during three different buys. The feds claim Williams suggested future drug sales take place at local high schools so the backpacks containing money and drugs wouldn't look suspicious.
"When they sold their badges they betrayed not only the citizens they were sworn to protect, but also their fellow law enforcement officers who literally put their lives on the line every day to protect all of us," Yates said.
Prosecutors maintain McLaurin and Harvey worked together. Harvey allegedly falsely represented himself as a DeKalb detention officer. McLaurin, who was no longer with the department, is accused of wearing his old uniform and a badge. The feds claim he went with an undercover seller to pick up cocaine from a warehouse, helped count the kilos, and stood outside the buyer's vehicle during the transaction.
"They in fact had old DeKalb County sheriff uniforms, and they were in fact wearing those uniforms in assisting in these illegal activities," said DeKalb County Sheriff Thomas Brown.
The allegations show some of the defendants allegedly tried to enlist other people to join them in their activities. According to complaints, the three men facing a judge today were willing to use their guns to shoot people in order to carry out the activities, or cover up those activities.
Their court appearance is scheduled to begin at 3:45 p.m. in Federal Court.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:42 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:42:40 GMT
The Bronx Zoo has unveiled its animatronics dinosaur exhibit. The exhibit, called Dinosaur Safari, is something different from the zoo, which is better known for its exhibits of living animals. The ride
The Bronx Zoo has unveiled its exhibit of animatronics. The exhibit, called Dinosaur Safari, is something different from the zoo, which is better known for its exhibits of living animals.
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:20 PM EDT2013-05-23 22:20:11 GMT
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in
Thursday, May 23 2013 3:18 PM EDT2013-05-23 19:18:28 GMT
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Thursday, May 23 2013 1:43 PM EDT2013-05-23 17:43:15 GMT
Kerry Kennedy has joined farmworkers protesting outside Wendy's shareholder meeting in Manhattan.
Kerry Kennedy has joined farmworkers protesting outside Wendy's shareholder meeting in Manhattan. The protesters said Thursday they want Wendy's to sign an agreement to safeguard working conditions for Florida tomato pickers.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:55 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:55:29 GMT
A $1,000 reward has been posted for information leading to the arrest and conviction of two men seen running to and away from a homicide scene Tuesday night in Camden.
A $1,000 reward has been posted for information leading to the arrest and conviction of two men seen running to and away from a homicide scene Tuesday night in Camden.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:07 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:07:03 GMT
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police.
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police. The incident Monday night involved two men, who police say, had met at the Bowery Mission and went out drinking together in the East Village. Roman Gornell, 39, was arrested on Wednesday.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:05 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:05:21 GMT
Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt made a trip to the birthplace of Frank Sinatra on Wednesday night to promote his new movie, "World War Z."
Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt made a trip to the birthplace of Frank Sinatra on Wednesday night to promote his new movie, "World War Z." Pitt stunned the crowd at the Clearview Cinemas when he walked in just before the start of the special screening.
