Jersey City Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Transportation of Stolen Goods and Extortion

TRENTON, NJ—A Jersey City, New Jersey police officer today admitted stealing more than half a million cigarettes from a trailer and extorting $20,000 from a drug courier who turned out to be an undercover FBI agent, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Mario Rodriguez, 39, of Jersey City, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Anne E. Thompson in Trenton federal court to an information charging him with transportation of stolen goods and extortion under color of official right.

According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court:

On July 3, 2013, Rodriguez and an individual working for the FBI as a confidential informant (CI) drove to a warehouse in Secaucus, New Jersey to break into a trailer, steal cigarettes, and sell the stolen goods to the CI’s associate. Law enforcement agents had previously parked the trailer at the warehouse and established surveillance of the area.

After using bolt-cutters to cut the lock off of the trailer, Rodriguez and the CI loaded 50 cases containing approximately 600,000 cigarettes and six televisions from the trailer into their vehicle. As they drove the stolen items to a parking lot in Staten Island, New York, Rodriguez made several phone calls seeking buyers for the TVs.

The pair met the CI’s associate—actually an undercover officer—in the parking lot to get the $5,000 payment for the cigarettes. Rodriguez kept $3,000 of the cash and three of the TVs.

On July 10, 2013, Rodriguez, the CI and an undercover law enforcement agent met in New Jersey and discussed the possibility of robbing a drug courier, who was actually another undercover officer. On July 24, 2013, the group met again in Staten Island to discuss the plan. The undercover officer told Rodriguez the courier would be delivering cocaine to them that day in exchange for a $20,000 payment. Rodriguez suggested a Jersey City mall parking lot due to an absence of surveillance cameras and called his associate, Anthony Roman, 48, of Jersey City, who was not a law enforcement officer, to help him with the robbery. Roman was charged with one count of Hobbs Act extortion.

Later that day, Rodriguez and Roman drove an SUV to the location where the CI and the drug courier were parked. Law enforcement agents had already established surveillance and staged the car containing $20,000 cash in a plastic bag. Rodriguez and Roman approached the car and identified themselves as law enforcement officers who were investigating the CI. They pretended to arrest the CI, threatened to arrest the drug courier and took the cash.

Later that day, Rodriguez, the CI and the undercover agent met in a hotel room at a Pennsylvania casino to split the cash.

The cargo theft and conspiracy to commit extortion charges to which Rodriguez pleaded guilty carry a maximum potential penalty of 10 and 20 years in prison, respectively. Both counts also carry a maximum fine of $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for September 26, 2014. Rodriguez has been suspended from the police department.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Aaron T. Ford in Newark; the Special Investigations Unit of the Jersey City Police Department, under the direction of Acting Chief Joseph Connors; the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Gaetano T. Gregory; and criminal investigators of the U.S. Attorney’s Office with the investigation leading to today’s plea. He also thanked the Bayonne Police Department, Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor, IRS-Criminal Investigation, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, and the N.J. State Commission of Investigation for their significant contributions to the investigation.

The government is represented by Acting Deputy Chief of the General Crimes Unit Jonathan W. Romankow in Newark.

The charges against Roman remain pending. They are merely accusations, and he remains innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Former Columbus Police Detective Sentenced to 57 Months in Prison for Drug Crime

COLUMBUS—Former Columbus Police Detective Stevie Billups, 48, of Columbus, was sentenced to serve 57 months in prison for crimes he committed through his involvement with a local drug dealer.
Carter M. Stewart, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Kevin Cornelius, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office (FBI); Karen Huey, Director of Enforcement for the Ohio Casino Control Commission; and Columbus Police Chief Kim Jacobs announced the sentence imposed today by Senior U.S. District Judge James L. Graham.
Judge Graham also fined Billups $10,000 and ordered him to serve three years of supervised release after he completes his prison sentence.
Billups pleaded guilty on November 22, 2013, to one count of attempted possession with intent to distribute heroin. According to a document the government filed with the court prior to today’s sentencing, in 2013 Billups provided armed protection for two transactions involving drugs while he was a Columbus Police officer.
Billups began his relationship with a drug dealer when Billups began laundering money for the drug dealer by cashing in chips which helped the drug dealer avoid transaction reporting requirements at the Hollywood Casino in Columbus.
According to court documents, Billups asked the drug dealer to “get him in the game.” Billups’ query led to the June 28th and July 17th drug stings by the FBI, whereby Billups protected the drug dealer in the pickup of purported drug money. He later provided protection for the drug dealer during a transaction which Billups believed involved the distribution of heroin. Billups provided protection during the second transaction while he was on duty, armed with his service weapon, and in a Columbus Division of Police unmarked detective vehicle. Billups received a total of $5,000 in exchange for providing protection to the drug dealer during these transactions.
“Public confidence in our police to ‘do the right thing’ is undermined with each case of police corruption,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Doug Squires told the court. “It is a police officer’s duty to uphold the law and protect the public....Billups’ intent to aid and further the problems that heroin has brought to our communities for his own profit indicates the serious nature of this offense.”
“Using a police officer’s badge and gun to commit crime is a particularly disturbing threat to the community,” stated SAC Kevin Cornelius. “This case highlights the fact that local, state, and federal agencies are working together to root out corruption and bring to justice those who betray the public’s trust.”
“Ohio Casino Control Commission and its gaming agents are committed to working with our federal and local law enforcement partners to investigate criminal activity occurring at the casinos,” said Karen Huey. “The Commission will not tolerate money laundering or drug dealing at any of Ohio’s casinos.”
U.S. Attorney Stewart praised the cooperative investigation by the Ohio Casino Control Commission and the FBI’s Central Ohio Public Corruption Task Force, which includes agents from the FBI and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI).
Mr. Stewart commended the Columbus Division of Police and Police Chief Kim Jacobs for the cooperation they provided during the course of this investigation and thanked the Homeland Security Investigations Bulk Cash Smuggling Task Force for helping initiate this investigation. The Bulk Cash Smuggling Task Force includes agents with Homeland Security Investigations and detectives with the Columbus Police Department, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Stewart also acknowledged Assistant United States Attorneys Doug Squires and David DeVillers, who prosecuted the case.

Former Police Officer Admits Guilt in Robbery Plan

PHILADELPHIA—Former Philadelphia Police Officer Jeffrey Walker pleaded guilty today to a scheme in which he planned to rob a drug dealer while on official duty. Walker pleaded to attempted robbery that interferes with interstate commerce and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
Walker told a cooperating witness (CW) that he wanted the CW to help him identify a drug dealer so that Walker could conduct a car stop for suspected drug violations or plant drugs in the car. On May 21, 2013, the CW informed Walker of a car parked outside a bar on West Girard Avenue. Walker drove up to the car, placed drugs inside the car, and then followed the driver when that person left the bar. When the car was pulled over, Philadelphia Police, including Walker, took the key to the driver’s home. Walker and the CW went to the driver’s home. When they exited the home, Walker was arrested and was in possession of $15,000 that he had taken from the house.
U.S. District Court Judge Eduardo C. Robreno scheduled a sentencing hearing for May 21, 2014. Walker faces an advisory sentencing guideline range of up to 10 years in prison.
The case was investigated by the FBI and Philadelphia Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Wzorek.

East Haven Police Officer Sentenced to Prison for Obstructing Justice to Cover Up Civil Rights Violations

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and George Venizelos, Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that former East Haven Police officer Jason Zullo, 35, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by one year of supervised release. Zullo also was ordered to perform 50 hours of community service.
According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from a criminal investigation into members of the East Haven Police Department's use of excessive force during arrests, unconstitutional searches and seizures, and the filing of false police reports. As a result of the investigation, Zullo, Sergeant John Miller, and Officers Dennis Spaulding and David Cari were charged with various civil rights offenses.
On October 23, 2012, Zullo pleaded guilty to one count of obstruction of justice and admitted that on October 18, 2008, he struck a motorcycle with his police car at least three times during a chase, ultimately causing the motorcycle to crash and throwing the male driver and female passenger to the ground. Both victims suffered injuries. Following the incident, in order to obstruct any potential investigation of his use of excessive force, Zullo prepared and filed a false police report that omitted the fact that he struck the motorcycle during the chase.
“This defendant attempted to cover up his misconduct and obstruct a civil rights investigation by filing a false police report,” said U.S. Attorney Daly. “His report failed to disclose that he had injured two civilians when he used his patrol car to repeatedly strike the motorcycle they were riding. The evidence obtained during this long-term investigation also revealed other examples of this officer’s abuse of his police powers. This prosecution and the resulting significant prison term demonstrate that criminal conduct by law enforcement officers will not be tolerated.”
“Maintaining the public’s trust in elected officials and particularly law enforcement is of the utmost importance,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge Venizelos. “It is our hope that today’s developments bring us closer to renewing confidence and respect for those, particularly in East Haven, who enforce the law.”
On September 21, 2012, Miller pleaded guilty to one count of violating an individual’s civil rights by using unreasonable and excessive force during the course of an arrest. On October 21, 2013, after a month-long trial, Spaulding and Cari were found guilty of conspiracy and various other charges related to their violating the civil rights of members of the East Haven community.
Miller, Cari, and Spaulding await sentencing.
This matter has been investigated by the Civil Rights Squad of the FBI’s New York Field Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Krishna R. Patel and Senior Litigation Counsel Richard J. Schechter.

Former Wichita Police Officer Sentenced in Scheme to Pay Bribe

WICHITA—A former officer of the Wichita Police Department has been sentenced to a year on federal probation after pleading guilty in a scheme to pay a bribe as part of an unsuccessful effort to keep from losing her job, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom.
Former officer Joletta Vallejo, 35, Wichita, Kansas, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Vallejo was employed by the police department from January 9, 2006 to August 24, 2012. In her plea, she admitted that on October 16, 2011, two citizens approached her to make a report that they were victims of an aggravated robbery, aggravated kidnaping, aggravated battery, and attempted first-degree murder. Vallejo did not follow the police department’s policies in responding and filing their complaints.
As a result of her failure to follow department policies, Vallejo was investigated by the police department’s Professional Standards Bureau. When she was interviewed, she lied to the investigators. When she became aware she was going to be fired, she and co-defendant Patrick Melendrez devised a scheme to attempt to keep her job.
On August 22, 2012, Vallejo created a Google Voice number in the name of Melendrez. They used that number to call and text one of the citizens to offer him money to recant the statements he had made to police about Vallejo’s conduct. The citizen’s response was part of an undercover investigation.
Co-defendant Patrick Melendrez was sentenced to two years on probation. Co-defendant Courtney Foster is awaiting trial.
Grissom commended the Wichita Police Department, the FBI, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Barnett for their work on the case.

Littleton Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Firearm and Drug Trafficking Crimes

DENVER—Jeffery Allan Johnston, age 46, of Parker, Colorado, today pled guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Philip A. Brimmer to one count of being a prohibited person in possession of firearms and one count of possession with intent to distribute MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy), and admitted the forfeiture allegation in the information, United States Attorney John Walsh and FBI Denver Division Special Agent in Charge Thomas Ravenelle announced. At the conclusion of the hearing, Judge Brimmer ordered that he be immediately remanded into custody. Johnston is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Brimmer on February 3, 2014.
Johnston was first charged by criminal complaint on July 19, 2013. He was arrested at his Parker home on July 22, 2013. He was charged by information on August 15, 2013, where he waived his right to be indicted by a federal grand jury. He pled guilty today, October 28, 2013.
According to the stipulated facts in the plea agreement, as well as other court documents, in April 2012, a source told law enforcement that he (the source) attended a party at Johnston’s home. While at the party, the source claims he observed behavior consistent with the use of illegal drugs. On July 16, 2013, a source received a message from Johnston. In cooperation with the FBI, the source returned Johnston’s call and had a coded conversation about providing Johnston with MDMA. On July 19, 2013, the source, working with the FBI, traveled to Johnston’s residence. Through monitored and recorded calls before the meeting, the source had agreed to deliver 75 MDMA pills to Johnston. The source and Johnston then met at Johnston’s residence. The exchange of money and MDMA took place in the kitchen of the residence. Johnston received approximately 9.9 grams of MDMA, in the form of 37 pills and 6.3 grams of powder MDMA. Johnston paid the source $1,300 for the drugs. Following the transaction, Johnston was taken into custody and a federal search warrant was executed at the residence.
During the search agents found the MDMA used during the controlled exchange in a kitchen drawer. They also found a stainless steel Colt Officers Model .45 caliber pistol located in a small black bag, loaded with seven rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber located above the kitchen drawer that contained the drugs. Investigators eventually located a small amount of cocaine, steroids, hundreds of prescription pills, additional firearms, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition in the residence. They also found eight other firearms, including an AR-15 and two 12-gauge shotguns. At all pertinent times, the defendant was employed as a sworn police officer.
Johnston faces not more than 10 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for being a prohibited person in possession of firearms (specifically an unlawful user of Schedule I controlled substances, MDMA, MDA, and GHB while knowingly possessing multiple firearms). He also faces not more than 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000 for possession with intent to distribute MDMA (ecstasy).
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Johnston is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Conner and Guy Till.