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This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

Submitted by Phillip Smith on (Issue #929)
Drug War Issues

An Illinois detective steals from the dead, a Massachusetts cop extorts his coke-dealing snitch, and more. Let's get to it.

In Rock Falls, Illinois, a Rock Falls police detective was arrested May 20 for stealing cash found on the body of a drug overdose victim. Sgt. Veronica Jaramillo, 43, allegedly took more than $1,700 in cash found with the body that was placed in the department's evidence locker. The mother of the victim told local media she called requesting the money so she could use to pay for her son's funeral, but Jaramillo repeatedly told her the money was in evidence. But police said Jaramillo took the cash and admitted using it to pay bills. She is charged with theft and official misconduct.

In Lawrence, Massachusetts, a Lawrence police officer was arrested last Thursday for threatening an informant from whom he had been buying cocaine for the past year. Officer John DeSantis Jr. allegedly took three bags of cocaine and crack from the informant after showing him his gun and police badge, then sent him text messages warning him to keep quiet. DeSantis has not been on active duty for more than a year because of an illness and was not assigned to any drug investigation. He is being charged with extortion.

In Bakersfield, California, a former Bakersfield police officers pleaded guilty last Thursday to corruption, drug dealing, stealing seized drugs, and tipping off drug dealers. Damacio Diaz, a 17-year veteran of the force, admitted working with an informant while aware the snitch was dealing large amounts of meth, taking bribes from the informant, and providing him with intelligence on police activities. Diaz also admitted seizing 10 pounds of meth, but only turning in one pound and selling the rest through the informant. He is pleading guilty to federal charges of bribery, possession and attempted possession of meth with intent to distribute, and filing a false income tax return.

Permission to Reprint: This content is licensed under a modified Creative Commons Attribution license. Content of a purely educational nature in Drug War Chronicle appear courtesy of DRCNet Foundation, unless otherwise noted.

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