News (Media Awareness Project) - US SC: Officer Accused Of Tipping Off Drug Dealers |
| Title: | US SC: Officer Accused Of Tipping Off Drug Dealers |
| Published On: | 2002-09-04 |
| Source: | Greenville News (SC) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-08-29 19:09:44 |
OFFICER ACCUSED OF TIPPING OFF DRUG DEALERS
A Greenville city police officer was indicted Wednesday on charges he sold
information about ongoing narcotics investigations to drug dealers for money.
Timothy R. Irvin, 34, of 5049 Old Augusta Road, has been placed on
administrative paid suspension awaiting a hearing before the city's Civil
Service Commission and a court appearance within the next five days, said
state Attorney General Charlie Condon.
"Let there be no doubt," he said. "Officials must obey the same laws as the
citizens they protected."
The 11-year veteran of the city's police force is charged with one count of
criminal conspiracy and one count of official misconduct, Condon said.
Allegations are that Irvin had been selling investigative information to
known drug dealers since 1994.
Conviction on a charge of criminal conspiracy carries a maximum penalty of
five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. The maximum sentence for official
misconduct is 10 years and a fine determined by the court.
Condon could not go into detail about the case because it was handled by
the state grand jury, which was started in the early 1990s to perform more
thorough investigations of things such as public corruption.
"We're making sure that we can clean up our own problems," he said.
The investigation leading to Irvin's indictment began roughly two years ago
when it became apparent there was a leak in the department, according to
Greenville Police Chief Willie Johnson.
The reason he is going to the Civil Service Commission is because Johnson
only has the power to suspend for five days, and the commission handles all
other personnel matters.
"Our suspension of Officer Timothy Irvin will protect the integrity of the
department while the charges are pending, and will not jeopardize his
having a fair trial," Johnson said.
Condon said there is no further investigation into any other officers.
"Nothing betrays public trust or destroys public confidence more than a
police officer alleged to have gone bad," he said. "Nothing less is tolerated."
A Greenville city police officer was indicted Wednesday on charges he sold
information about ongoing narcotics investigations to drug dealers for money.
Timothy R. Irvin, 34, of 5049 Old Augusta Road, has been placed on
administrative paid suspension awaiting a hearing before the city's Civil
Service Commission and a court appearance within the next five days, said
state Attorney General Charlie Condon.
"Let there be no doubt," he said. "Officials must obey the same laws as the
citizens they protected."
The 11-year veteran of the city's police force is charged with one count of
criminal conspiracy and one count of official misconduct, Condon said.
Allegations are that Irvin had been selling investigative information to
known drug dealers since 1994.
Conviction on a charge of criminal conspiracy carries a maximum penalty of
five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. The maximum sentence for official
misconduct is 10 years and a fine determined by the court.
Condon could not go into detail about the case because it was handled by
the state grand jury, which was started in the early 1990s to perform more
thorough investigations of things such as public corruption.
"We're making sure that we can clean up our own problems," he said.
The investigation leading to Irvin's indictment began roughly two years ago
when it became apparent there was a leak in the department, according to
Greenville Police Chief Willie Johnson.
The reason he is going to the Civil Service Commission is because Johnson
only has the power to suspend for five days, and the commission handles all
other personnel matters.
"Our suspension of Officer Timothy Irvin will protect the integrity of the
department while the charges are pending, and will not jeopardize his
having a fair trial," Johnson said.
Condon said there is no further investigation into any other officers.
"Nothing betrays public trust or destroys public confidence more than a
police officer alleged to have gone bad," he said. "Nothing less is tolerated."
Member Comments |
No member comments available...
