CITY OFFICER ON ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES AFTER ACCUSATION SHE MADE FALSE ARREST

She Said She Saw Man With Drugs Left By Police

A veteran Baltimore police officer was placed on administrative duties
yesterday after a brief internal hearing into allegations that she falsely
arrested an 18-year-old man on drug charges last week, police officials said.

Jacqueline Folio, 41, who joined the department in 1989, will be
transferred from the Southeastern District to juvenile detention duties
pending the outcome of the agency's internal disciplinary process, police
officials said.

Folio, who also lost her police powers, could not be reached for comment.

Yesterday's hearing stemmed from Folio's actions during an integrity sting
Thursday night, police officials said.

Folio was on patrol near the 3000 block of E. Pratt St. when she received a
call to investigate drug activity, according to police officials.

She found a bag containing suspected drugs and cash, which had been planted
earlier by internal affairs detectives during a random integrity check. She
put the bag in her pocket, police officials said.

Within minutes, Folio had arrested an 18-year-old man for possessing the
drugs and cash.

Folio wrote in court documents that she saw the teen-ager place the drugs
behind a bush. But sources familiar with the investigation say the
18-year-old never touched the bag and the area was being watched by
internal affairs detectives.

Police internal affairs officials interviewed the 18-year-old, Leon
Burgess, at the city jail and tape-recorded his statements. Burgess was not
charged with any crimes and said last week that he felt his rights had been
violated.