At least 13 officers were brought down on allegations that included robbing citizens, stealing and selling drugs, falsifying reports and overtime and trying to cover it all up. Adapted from former Baltimore Sun reporter Justin Fentons 2021 book We Own This City: A True Story of Crime, Cops, and Corruption, the show chronicles the rise and fall of one of the most shocking instances of police corruption in Baltimores history. Keith Gladstone pleaded guilty in May in a 2014 case where a toy gun was planted on a man to justify him being chased by police and later run down by an officers vehicle. Officer Michael OSullivan was sentenced to 15 months in prison on Dec. 4 for perjury and misconduct in office. The driver of the second vehicle in the crash was taken to the hospital for minor injuries. Fenton touches on the larger issues raised by the shocking activities of the Gun Trace Task Force members, but he doesnt linger there. These undated photos provided by the Baltimore Police Department show, from left, Daniel Hersl, Evodio Hendrix, Jemell Rayam, Marcus Taylor, Maurice Ward, Momodu Gando and Wayne Jenkins, the seven police officers who are facing charges of robbery, extortion and overtime fraud, and are accused of stealing money and drugs from victims, some of whom had not committed crimes. Rebuilding the Departments relationship with the community and restoring the publics trust in the Department are among Commissioner Harrisons highest priorities," police spokesman Matt Jablow wrote in a response to questions from the Sun. Rivera-Martinez, 32, was found guilty by a Baltimore City Circuit Court jury for beating Melvin Townes, then 16, in the face and head repeatedly with his stun gun after chasing him on North Gay Street about 2 a.m. on July 5, 2016. In his plea, Gondo admitted acting as a lookout during a home invasion, stealing money during arrests and searches as an officer, arranging the sale of a seized gun and marijuana, and taking thousands of dollars in unearned overtime pay from the city. Vignola, a 12-year veteran, was the 14th person caught in the massive police sweeping corruption scandal. Baltimore Killer Busted After Months-Long Investigation: Police. He stole $20,000 alongside two friends who posed as police officers during a home invasion. - Original Credit: When Dotson asked why he was being arrested, Newberg is heard saying: Just go to jail and take your charge like a man.". Read about our approach to external linking. The scope of the crimes and allegations are broad and follow a particularly notorious 2018, which included federal arrests and trials of officers of the Gun Trace Task Force, and another officer charged with drug trafficking. "We waited so long for justice. Baltimore City police told 11 News its officers started pursuing a car around 5 p.m . Jenifer Wicks, Taylors attorney, had accused the government of building a conspiracy case with witnesses plucked from the depths of the criminal underworld, according to WBAL-TV. White was found shot to death . "It was too much," he said. Heres why. Cellphone video outside of the Custom House Avenue strip club around 1:20 a.m. showed an officer pulling Middleton, who was off-duty, to the ground by her shirt collar. Shop Our Favorite February Amazon Deals Before the Sales End, The 14 Best Mineral Sunscreens of 2023, According to Pros, 14 TikTok-Famous Cleaning Products That Actually Work, According to Our Experts, 14 Best Healthier Candy Alternatives of 2023, According to Taste Tests. So, finally, after all these years, we'll get some justice for our parents Every time you speak about it, you get choked up. For all their misdeeds, members of the task force delivered when it came to gun and drug seizures, and they arrested some serious criminals. "The city is accepting responsibility and is being held accountable after the Board of Estimates approved the settlement at its meeting Wednesday morning. After the group stole over $100,000 from a safe, Ward testified he was given a $20,000 cut. Instead, its members were. On 1 March, 2017, Sergeant Wayne Jenkins and six of his subordinate officers from the Gun Trace Task Force walked into the Baltimore Police Department's Internal Affairs building, believing. A man they shook down went to the FBI, and authorities launched an investigation that found the officers were detaining and robbing drug dealers. Jenkins previously pled guilty to multiple charges. Gladstones indictment came amid the continuing investigation into police corruption allegations related to the Gun Trace Task Force scandal, in which eight city officers were convicted of racketeering offenses for robbing people using their badge. At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. 599. THEY WERE LATER EXONERATED WHEN IT WAS REVEALED THE GTTF MEMBERS PLANTED THE DRUGS AND FALSIFIED REPORTS. He was investigated for an $11,000 theft that year. They robbed suspected drug dealers (some of whom may not have been dealers), sold stolen drugs, illegally used GPS devices to track robbery targets and planted evidence. In one instance, Allers stole $10,000 he found while searching the home of a man named "D.R.". plea agreement for misconduct in office and drunk-driving charges. Former Police Commissioner Darryl De Sousa was sentenced to 10 months in federal prison in New Jersey after pleading guilty in April to failing to file federal tax returns. Retired Baltimore Police Sgt. He is scheduled to be sentenced in December. Pitocchelli made more than former Mayor Catherine Pugh, who was the citys 55th highest-paid worker. Two former Baltimore Police officers sentenced to a combined 454 years in federal prison for shaking down citizens in the early 2000s had their prison terms reduced to 20 years each by a federal judge Monday. So, finally, after all these years, we'll get some justice for our parents Every time you speak about it, you get choked up. Hersl came at me like a gang, Summerville testified, according to WBAL-TV. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. Ex-police sergeant . When there is misconduct, there must be accountability, said Gupta, now president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. You cant rob people just because theyre drug dealers, he said. Part of the reason is that they are scared of retribution, but many citizens also do not trust the police. First published on April 29, 2022 / 11:30 PM. He resigned four months later amid the tax charges. All charges against Dotson were dropped, while Newbergs is out on bond pending trial on the old and new charges. Gondo, 36, was a member of the Gun Trace Task Force, and he was the only officer in the case to be charged as part of two separate criminal conspiracies, originally facing a possible sentence of 60 years. The federal system has no parole, but following the sentence reductions both officers could be released to halfway houses soon, their attorneys said. One could be excused for wondering whether there is any more to say about Baltimore and crime. The incident was caught on closed-circuit television footage after the strip clubs on The Block in the 1400 block of Baltimore Street let out and police were clearing the area. Gondo admitted he routinely stole cash from people's homes when given the opportunity, and split the take with his fellow officers. Cocaine, an expensive watch and designer clothes were also taken from the home. Gaff originally wrote in a police report that the man resisted arrest, although body camera footage captured a different narrative, according to Baltimore Sun reports. This could happen anywhere from 10 to 20 times a night or, in some cases, 50 times a night. The corruption has cost Baltimore taxpayers more than $13 million in settlements with victims and hundreds of cases the corrupt officers worked on had to be thrown out. appreciated. "We just didn't stop.". The First Step Act, passed by Congress and signed by President Trump in 2018, has led to a wave of sentence reductions, particularly in non-violent drug cases where defendants received lengthy sentences. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Robert Quick, a Baltimore police lieutenant, was suspended in the middle of an internal investigation in August, according to police. In a one-on-one interview this week, the commissioner told WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren he is committed to reform. After tackling a teenager and beating him with his taser in 2016, Carlos Rivera-Martinez was convicted of second-degree assault and misconduct in office in May. Henrietta Middleton and faces up to 10 years in prison. He told the jury that on one occasion, he and Officer Taylor pulled rubbish from a house they needed a search warrant for and recovered evidence of marijuana. He testified under oath that he witnessed Yusuf Smith toss a handgun while running from officers on the Alameda in May 2018. A veteran police sergeant filmed allegedly arresting, threatening and harassing. Ive got an entire pharmacy, the sergeant told Stepp. U.S. District Judge Catherine Blake handed down the punishment to former Gun Trace Task Force member Daniel Hersl, who had a reputation as a dirty officer stretching back years. Heres what to know about the true story behind the miniseries. Where are the disgraced Gun Trace Task Force officers now? By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. March 26, 2021 at 8:00 a.m. EDT A unit of the Baltimore Police Department, the Gun Trace Task Force, was supposed to target guns and drugs on the city's streets. William A. Sgt. Sgt. REPORTER: THE CITY SAYS ITS NOW PAID OUT MORE THAN $22 MILLION FOR 39 GTTF SETTLEMENTS. During the January incident, Kevin Miller, stepped out to cross the highway where he was nearly hit by Gentils civilian car. Court records, sentencing memorandums and Baltimore Sun archives show that at least 20 Baltimore police officers including some who are no longer with the department were either charged, sentenced, or suspended during 2019. Body camera footage from the first arrest shows Newberg charging towards Dotson, who reacted by saying: Im not running away. A second officer tackled Dotson to the ground while the man shouted he was exercising his right to free speech, the tape showed. That is why this trial in Baltimore is so critical not just for what it reveals in and of itself, but also for showing the public that misconduct does not go unchecked.. Vignola faces sentencing ranging from probation to five years in federal prison and is no longer with the department. Prior to the Gun Trace Task Force case, the case of King and Murray was one of the highest-profile Baltimore police corruption cases. She sentenced him to 9-months in jail after finding Williams guilty of second-degree assault and official misconduct. While 20 years is still a significant term of imprisonment, it provides Mr. King with some hope of once again becoming a productive member of society.. BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A federal judge handed down lengthy prison sentences Thursday to two former Baltimore City Police . BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - 35-year-old Marvin Edmonds II was arrested yesterday and charged with the shooting of a 39-year-old man in Eastern Baltimore on February 19th. Amid soaring crime and distrust in law enforcement, the unit played both cops and robbers, said lead federal prosecutor Leo Wise. Det. REPORTER: THE WRECK HAPPENED IN APRIL 2010 A CAR CHASED FOR ABOUT 45 SECONDS BY MEMBERS OF THE DISBANDED GUN TRACE TASK FORCE CRASHED INTO THEIR PARENTS CAR. Federal agents found unregistered assault rifles, cocaine residue and razors in his home. He now faces up to 10 years in prison. Ward said that when the squad was out on patrol, Jenkins would drive quickly toward a group of people, and the other officers would pop the doors open and chase those who took off running, according to the station. Watch. An employee at the storage facility testified that Hersl and his supervisor, who has pleaded guilty, demanded to see a surveillance video of the encounter, the station reported. He is serving the harshest sentence: 25 years in a Kentucky prison. These are really simply robberies by people wearing police uniforms.. At 2 pm, The Baltimore Police Department arrived at the 1600 block of East Eager Street to investigate a shooting report. Here are examples of the startling stories of corruption to emerge from the trial: In September 2016, Hersl, Taylor and three other officers allegedly robbed Sergio Summerville, a small-time drug dealer who kept his stash at a storage unit downtown. Court records show he received probation and a suspended prison sentence. Stolen drugs were regularly delivered to Stepps home, he said, where they were stashed before being resold on the street. "Thats why he has placed such a heavy emphasis on building a culture of accountability and providing officers with the necessary training and support to make BPD more efficient, effective and responsive.. Baltimore Police Detective Daniel Hersl A jury found Hersl guilty for his role in several robberies committed by the squad, including an incident where the officers took over $25,000 from a. Prosecutors recently tacked on 32 new but similar charges after reviewing video taken from Newbergs body camera over several months. Moore, a 14-year veteran with the department, was placed on unpaid suspension before his guilty plea and is no longer with the department. Under the cover of their badges, the officers sold seized guns and drugs on the streets, ripped off narcotics dealers and locked up innocent people. Police Commissioner Michael Harrison released a staffing plan earlier in December that calls for more than doubling the number of internal affairs detectives to help reduce backlogs and respond more swiftly to complaints against officers. These guys had engaged in so much misconduct previously. EPIC ID REFUSAL | how cops get off0:00 - Video 1 | I tell a cop "you're dism. The officers charged in the racketeering indictment are: Det. De Sousa was appointed as police commissioner by Ex-Mayor of Baltimore Catherine Pugh in January of 2018. The public relations damage crested in October, when Baltimore States Attorney Marilyn Mosby said she had a list of hundreds of officers with alleged credibility issues. Keith Gladstone pleaded guilty in May from a 2014 case where a toy gun was planted on a man to justify him being chased by police and later run down by an officers vehicle. In April, assault charges were dropped against officer Middleton after she and other off-duty officers were accused of being drunk during a bachelorette party outside Norma Jeans strip club on The Block. A True Story of Crime, Cops, and Corruption. The remaining officers involved received sentences ranging from seven years to 12 years. Troy Snell, a former police officer in Baltimore and Philadelphia, was sentenced to nine years in federal prison in April for helping a member of the Gun Trace Task Force sell drugs on the street in Baltimore. He also stuck a gun in a womans face during a separate break-in incident in which guns, drugs, cash and jewelry were taken. Both were later exonerated once it was revealed GTTF members planted the drugs and falsified reports. Gaff was found guilty of misconduct while in office but found not guilty for second-degree assault. and Rayam all agreed to cooperate with the (DOJ) and testified against Hersl and Taylor. He was later dismissed from the department. In September 2021, Jenkins spoke with BBC journalist. In February, former Baltimore police detective Momodu Gondo was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for racketeering and conspiracy to distribute heroin, winning a reduced sentence after cooperating with the federal government. Former police commissioner Darryl De Sousa was sentenced to 10 months in federal prison in New Jersey after pleading guilty in April to failing to file federal tax returns. Stepp testified that the sergeant told him he simply waited and ripped off looters leaving shuttered pharmacies with stolen drugs. The two others Daniel Hersl and Marcus Taylorpleaded not guilty and were convicted in 2018. Magazines, David Simon and George Pelecanos on How America Changed Between The Wire and Their New Police Show We Own This City, Or create a free account to access more articles. Testimony from four of the unit's former members revealed in greater detail the extent of the corruption and the lengths to which the GTTF would go to cover their tracks. Baltimore police officials say they are working not only to address problems in the department, but also to become more responsive to members of the public. The list of officers below includes some who were charged last year but not tried or have reached plea deals until this year. Long Waits, Short Appointments, Huge Bills. Rivera-Martinez, 32, was found guilty by a Baltimore City Circuit Court jury for beating then 16-year-old Melvin Townes in the face and head repeatedly with his taser after chasing him on North Gay Street at about 2 a.m. on July 5, 2016. Court records, sentencing memorandums and Baltimore Sun archives show that at least 20 Baltimore police officers including some who are no longer with the department were either charged, sentenced, or suspended during 2019. A federal jury on Monday convicted two former members of a defunct Baltimore police gun task force in a corruption trial. WJZ has covered the real-life Gun Trace Task Force investigation since the first indictments in 2017. >> IT MEANS A LOT TO ME AND MY FAMILY. Hersl and Taylor both received 18-year sentences. As depicted in the series, six of eight GTTF membersThomas Allers, Wayne Jenkins, Momodu Gondo, Evodio Hendrix, Jemell Rayam, and Maurice Wardpleaded guilty to a number of charges and were convicted.
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