Post by Origanalist on Apr 15, 2016 5:12:12 GMT -8
Cops accused of robbing dealers, selling their drugs in new federal charges
By Gus Burns | fburns@mlive.com
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on April 14, 2016 at 7:30 AM, updated April 14, 2016 at 7:31 AM
DETROIT, MI -- Federal investigators believe multiple Detroit police were involved in a conspiracy to bust drug dealers, steal their stash, and in some cases, sell stolen drugs themselves.
Detroit Police Lt. David Hansberry, Officer Bryan Watson and Officer Arthur Leavells are the only three named in the criminal indictment -- along with Hansberry's friend, Kevlin O. Brown and Calvin Turner -- but there were multiple other conspirators, according to federal investigators.
A total of eleven Detroit police have been named in civil lawsuits alleging similar misconduct since summer 2015.
Hansberry, Watson and Leavells were first criminally indicted in April 2015, but more charges were added to the cases of Hansberry and Watson in a superseding indictment filed in February.
The federal government says the men monitored substantial drug transactions and intervened, "using their police authority to extort drugs, money and personal property."
A trial of Hansberry, Watson and Brian is scheduled to start at the U.S. District Court in Detroit on June 7, if pleas aren't arranged by May 4.
During the timeframe of the alleged crimes -- between 2010 and 2014 -- Hansberry received a promotion from sergeant to lieutenant.
Watson worked as a member of Hansberry's "crew" in the Detroit Police Narcotics Unit. Hansberry was known by the nicknames "Hater" and "Sarge," while Watson used the code name "Bullet."
Hansberry Watson indictment.pdf media.mlive.com/news/detroit_impact/other/Hasberry%20Watson%20indictment.pdf
Leavells pleaded guilty in June 2015 to conspiring to distribute more than a kilogram of cocaine, admitting to diverting cocaine from being entered into evidence, so that it could be re-distributed and sold.
He's scheduled for sentencing in late July, likely facing a minimum of nearly 4 years in prison and a minimum fine of $10,000, based on sentencing guidelines.
Hansberry is charged with 18 felony federal crimes; Watson with 16; and Brown with two. Turner pleaded guilty to conspiracy drug distribution in May 2015 and is set for sentencing in July.
Hansberry and Watson are suspended without pay. Detroit police media representatives couldn't immediately verify the work status of Leavells or other officers named in the civil lawsuits.
Detroit Police Officer Nicole Kirkwood told MLive she hopes to have that information Thursday.
The indicted officers were accused of conducting fake arrests and traffic stops using Detroit police gear and vehicles to steal drugs and property, sometimes from inside the victims' homes.
They didn't log the seized property or narcotics.
"Rather, they would divide amongst themselves the money, property and controlled substances obtained from their victims, and would sell the controlled substances in order to share proceeds of such sales," prosecutors claim in court filings.
Sometimes, Hansberry and Watson obtained warrants to legally search vehicles or homes but kept what they seized; and at times arranged the sale of heroin, marijuana and upwards of 5 kilograms of cocaine.
In addition to the criminal matter, there are two ongoing civil lawsuits.
Detroit-based attorney Michael R. Dezsi told MLive a year ago he believes the criminal indictments are "just the tip of the iceberg."
"Obviously, this problem was much more pervasive," Dezsi said. "It certainly it wasn't limited to these (three) guys."
continued.. www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2016/04/trial_date_set_for_detroit_pol.html
By Gus Burns | fburns@mlive.com
Follow on Twitter
on April 14, 2016 at 7:30 AM, updated April 14, 2016 at 7:31 AM
DETROIT, MI -- Federal investigators believe multiple Detroit police were involved in a conspiracy to bust drug dealers, steal their stash, and in some cases, sell stolen drugs themselves.
Detroit Police Lt. David Hansberry, Officer Bryan Watson and Officer Arthur Leavells are the only three named in the criminal indictment -- along with Hansberry's friend, Kevlin O. Brown and Calvin Turner -- but there were multiple other conspirators, according to federal investigators.
A total of eleven Detroit police have been named in civil lawsuits alleging similar misconduct since summer 2015.
Hansberry, Watson and Leavells were first criminally indicted in April 2015, but more charges were added to the cases of Hansberry and Watson in a superseding indictment filed in February.
The federal government says the men monitored substantial drug transactions and intervened, "using their police authority to extort drugs, money and personal property."
A trial of Hansberry, Watson and Brian is scheduled to start at the U.S. District Court in Detroit on June 7, if pleas aren't arranged by May 4.
During the timeframe of the alleged crimes -- between 2010 and 2014 -- Hansberry received a promotion from sergeant to lieutenant.
Watson worked as a member of Hansberry's "crew" in the Detroit Police Narcotics Unit. Hansberry was known by the nicknames "Hater" and "Sarge," while Watson used the code name "Bullet."
Hansberry Watson indictment.pdf media.mlive.com/news/detroit_impact/other/Hasberry%20Watson%20indictment.pdf
Leavells pleaded guilty in June 2015 to conspiring to distribute more than a kilogram of cocaine, admitting to diverting cocaine from being entered into evidence, so that it could be re-distributed and sold.
He's scheduled for sentencing in late July, likely facing a minimum of nearly 4 years in prison and a minimum fine of $10,000, based on sentencing guidelines.
Hansberry is charged with 18 felony federal crimes; Watson with 16; and Brown with two. Turner pleaded guilty to conspiracy drug distribution in May 2015 and is set for sentencing in July.
Hansberry and Watson are suspended without pay. Detroit police media representatives couldn't immediately verify the work status of Leavells or other officers named in the civil lawsuits.
Detroit Police Officer Nicole Kirkwood told MLive she hopes to have that information Thursday.
The indicted officers were accused of conducting fake arrests and traffic stops using Detroit police gear and vehicles to steal drugs and property, sometimes from inside the victims' homes.
They didn't log the seized property or narcotics.
"Rather, they would divide amongst themselves the money, property and controlled substances obtained from their victims, and would sell the controlled substances in order to share proceeds of such sales," prosecutors claim in court filings.
Sometimes, Hansberry and Watson obtained warrants to legally search vehicles or homes but kept what they seized; and at times arranged the sale of heroin, marijuana and upwards of 5 kilograms of cocaine.
In addition to the criminal matter, there are two ongoing civil lawsuits.
Detroit-based attorney Michael R. Dezsi told MLive a year ago he believes the criminal indictments are "just the tip of the iceberg."
"Obviously, this problem was much more pervasive," Dezsi said. "It certainly it wasn't limited to these (three) guys."
continued.. www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2016/04/trial_date_set_for_detroit_pol.html
