We can do this three times a year.". The extent of the GTTF's reign of terror on the city of Baltimore became more widely known in 2017, when eight members of the unit were indicted on charges of extortion, robbery, racketeering,. Wayne Jenkins, Baltimore's dirtiest cop, is sentenced: It still doesn't feel like justice . Baltimore officials approved a $6 million payout in what is one of the city's largest settlements reached in the Gun Trace Task Force police misconduct case. 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. Screen grab of body camera footage of an arrest by Sgt. Retired Baltimore Police Sgt. 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 GTTF, and another officer charged with drug trafficking. OSullivan remains suspended from the police force. In a 2016 incident, officers stopped and arrested a couple who had been leaving a Home Depot, even though there was no evidence that the couple committed a crime. At the time, the officers maintained that their activities were all in furtherance of legitimate police activity in an effort to develop sources to lead to arrests of drug distributors, said prosecutors, adding the officers claimed they used their ill-gotten money to pay informants who could help them catch those higher up in the drug gangs. By the time members of the task force were taken down, they had left a long trail of damage. 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. The officers attorneys noted that former Gun Trace Task Force Sgt. A jury also found Taylor guilty for his role in several robberies involving other members of the squad, including an incident where the officers stole over $100,000 from a high-level drug trafficker's safe. Police Commissioner Michael Harrison released a staffing plan last week that calls for more than doubling the number of internal affairs detectives to help reduce backlogs and respond more swiftly to complaints against officers. Jemell Rayam is serving 12 years and is currently in a secure medical detention facility in Minnesota. 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 corrupt Gun Trace Task Force sell drugs on the street in Baltimore. A 41-year-old Baltimore man believed to be responsible for a 2022 homicide has been arrested, police say. All Rights Reserved. BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A federal judge handed down lengthy prison sentences Thursday to two former Baltimore City Police . When he was indicted, Rivera-Martinez was suspended without pay. 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. Former Police Commissioner Darryl De Sousa arrives at the Edward A. Garmatz federal courthouse. Write to Josiah Bates at josiah.bates@time.com. Baltimore Police remain under a consent decree to correct years of civil rights abuses. U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang agreed with arguments put forward by attorneys for William King and Antonio Murray earlier this year under the First Step Act, noting that since their convictions in 2006 Congress has passed sentencing reforms that would have led to significantly shorter sentences if the officers were sentenced today. Cocaine, an expensive watch and designer clothes were also taken from the home. At the same time, the cops who are called on to keep order frequently behave like a callous, occupying force, and, all too often, the money corrupts them, too. The men received $8 million in restitution, and some of the officers involved in the task force have been convicted in federal court on various charges.The family of Davis and Cain filed a lawsuit claiming civil rights violations, and the trial was set for May. In total, the GTTF is believed to have stolen at least $300,000, 43 pounds of marijuana, 800 grams of heroin, three kilos of cocaine, and hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of jewelry. In 2015, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) started investigating the unit. A jury convicted OSullivan, 44, in October after finding he lied in court about a criminal case. One of them shot a video showing the officers pretending to open the safe for the first time after they had already pocketed half the money, they testified, according to the newspaper. BALTIMORE A Baltimore police officer caught on tape last year beating a suspect went to prison this year. Gentil resigned in October after working on the force for 24 years. Some was known by the police department and the department was incapable of taking care of its own business, said Michael Bromwich, who led the independent investigation. Where are they now? The employee said that, when he demanded a search warrant, one officer told him he looked like somebody that needed to be robbed.. The ringleader, former Sergeant Wayne Jenkins, admitted committing multiple armed robberies and stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in drugs. We are re-training, re-learning and re-teaching a better way to deliver police services here in Baltimore," Commissioner Michael Harrison said. 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. The two others Daniel Hersl and Marcus Taylorpleaded not guilty and were convicted in 2018. The two were both acquitted of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, according to Morse. They counted $200,000 in cash, stole half the money and then put the rest of the cash back in the safe, the officers said. The incident was caught on close-circuit television footage after the strip clubs on The Block in the 1400 block of Baltimore St. let out and police were clearing the area. 2. In some cases, they even resold the very drugs and guns they were supposed to take off the streets. Officer Spencer Moore pleaded guilty to felony drug charges in February after Baltimore County officers said they saw him involved in a narcotics transaction. Six pleaded guilty, including Sergeant Wayne Jenkins, the unit's leader since June 2016. Former Detectives Daniel Hersl and Marcus Taylor were the only two not to accept a plea deal and go to a jury. Some of the letters convicted former BPD cop Daniel Hersl has written about the Gun Trace Task Force. Family seeks justice from city after crash involving GTTF, Family of man killed in 2010 crash linked to GTTF case files lawsuit, Baltimore pays out $575K in latest Gun Trace Task Force settlement, Lawyer of man who went to jail behind GTTF allegations talks settlement, GTTF police misconduct cases costs Baltimore another $500K, Rapper Young Moose to get $300K from city in Gun Trace Task Force settlement, Independent investigator releases Gun Trace Task Force report, I-Team: City taxpayers have spent over $14M to cover GTTF settlements, City set to pay out more than $10M in GTTF settlements, City Board of Estimates to consider more than $500K payout related to GTTF lawsuit, $1.1M in police misconduct settlements approved in Baltimore, Court rules city on hook for settlements in 2 Gun Trace Task Force lawsuits, Attorney: Baltimore City shouldn't have to pay settlements in GTTF case, Mosby seeks to have 790 'tainted' convictions thrown out, Leaders question if Baltimore should be financially responsible for GTTF lawsuits, Report details taxpayer payouts in Baltimore police misconduct cases, Lawsuit against former gun squad members seeks $40M, Former detectives found guilty in corruption trial, Get the WBAL-TV app; Sign up for email alerts, Baltimore pays out $575K in latest GTTF settlement. But soon he was charged with second-degree assault and misconduct while in office, and Middleton who was partying in the club had all of her charges dropped by prosecutors. "We think the settlement is warranted due to the egregious facts in this case," said John Solter, an attorney for the family. He testified under oath that he witnessed Yusuf Smith toss a handgun while running from officers on The Alameda in May of 2018. 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.. Rayam at one point gave guns and police uniforms to friends and had them break into a home where Rayam was aware of $20,000 being inside. This could happen anywhere from 10 to 20 times a night or, in some cases, 50 times a night. A Breathalyzer measured Heilmans blood alcohol level at 0.22, about three times the legal limit. Stepp testified that Hersl shared in the proceeds from the drug sales, WBAL-TV reported, and alleged that Taylor participated in the theft of 30 pounds of marijuana. 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. Maryland police responded to the crash on northbound I-95 in the Edgewood area, according to State Police. "It could have been any of us. Who were the members of the Gun Trace Task Force (GTTF)? "It was a gut punch to the family, and they needed to stand up for their parents. EPIC ID REFUSAL | how cops get off0:00 - Video 1 | I tell a cop "you're dism. Former officers testified that their main method of making arrests was "door pops" - driving up to large groups and throwing the doors open as if they were about to arrest someone. REPORTER: SOME OF THE OFFICERS INVOLVED IN THE TASK FORCE WERE CONVICTED IN FEDERAL COURT ON VARIOUS CHARGES. Part of the reason is that they are scared of retribution, but many citizens also do not trust the police. Prosecutors tried to show that squad members targeted casinos for people to rob. Two former Baltimore police officers found guilty in corruption trial Feb. 13, 2018 01:20. . You cant rob people just because theyre drug dealers, he said. PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Former Philadelphia Councilman Bobby Henon has been sentenced to 3.5 years in prison following his conviction in November 2021 on conspiracy and fraud charges. Rayam was investigated for theft of $11,000 from a man that year. The settlement goes to the family of a retired construction worker who was killed in a crash involving former Baltimore police officers who were part of the disbanded task force. Summerville said the detectives stole drugs and $2,400 he had stuffed in a sock. Among the many striking revelations in the book is how casual the officers were about their crimes. Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Rayam admitted that he'd been stealing money long before he joined the Gun Trace Task Force, as early as 2009. When the Baltimore City Police Department created the GTTF, it was intended to be an elite squad of highly-trained officers tasked with seizing illegal guns. And more officers tied to the Gun Trace Task Force were charged or sentenced in federal court. THEY WERE LATER EXONERATED WHEN IT WAS REVEALED THE GTTF MEMBERS PLANTED THE DRUGS AND FALSIFIED REPORTS. Former Baltimore police officer Arthur Williams, 26, was found guilty of second-degree assault in June after body-camera footage that went viral showed him punching a man several times in East Baltimore on a sidewalk in 2018. Amid protests following the killing of Freddie Gray in 2015, one GTTF officer allegedly prevented looting that was happening at a pharmacy. Whether youre a lifelong resident of D.C. or you just moved here, weve got you covered. Court records show he received probation and a suspended prison sentence. Middleton was originally charged with assault, but charges were dropped. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our, Digital Both got 18-year sentences. The former leader of the Baltimore Police Gun Trace Task Force who admitted to taking part in a number of crimes has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison. Taylor is at a federal prison in northeast Arkansas. Read more: David Simon and George Pelecanos on How America Changed Between The Wire and Their New Police Show We Own This City. Henrietta Middleton and faces up to 10 years in prison. In one case described at the trial, Jenkins directed his men to break open a safe containing over $200,000 (144,500). At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. They stole 800g of heroin, jewellery, watches and a gun. 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. The justice system will rectify things, said Stephen M. Schenning, acting US Attorney for the District of Maryland, according to CNN affiliate WBFF. city agreed to a consent decree on sweeping police reforms. 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. 2023 BBC. After the group stole over $100,000 from a safe, Ward testified he was given a $20,000 cut. The report also revealed racial disparities in who was impacted by the corruption and abuse. He is scheduled to be sentenced in December. In January 2022, a law firms independent investigation into the GTTF found institutional failure in supervision of the officers. 2023 Cable News Network. Baltimore City officials agreed to pay $6 million to the family of Elbert Davis Sr. who was killed in 2010 during a high-speed car chase that involved the Gun Trace Task Force, a notorious unit of the Baltimore City Police Department, that lied to officials and robbed citizens. Gun Trace Task Force fallout: Carmine Vignola. They were released in February 2022, serving less than five years behind bars. The former sergeant admitted to the practice earlier this year. Prior to the Gun Trace Task Force case, the case of King and Murray was one of the highest-profile Baltimore police corruption cases. THERE ARE STILL FIVE MORE LAWSUITS ARE PENDING AND TWO OTHER CLAIMS COULD ALSO TURN INTO LAWSUITS. April Is Packed With Prestige Dramas. "It was a gut punch to the family, and they needed to stand up for their parents. It's just awful.". FOX45. Its an old story line that somehow never gets old: the travails of gritty Baltimore, a city with more than its share of poverty, drug addiction and violent crime. >> WE DID NOT GO ABOVE AND BEYOND TO MAKE SURE AND CHECK IN CHECKING THAT THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE SWORN TO PROTECT AND SERVE HADNT TURNED THEMSELVES IN THE BIGGEST GANG IN BALTIMORE. First published on April 29, 2022 / 11:30 PM. Court records show he received probation and a suspended prison sentence. (Kenneth K. Lam). Jenkins was given a 25-year prison sentence on June 7, 2018, which he is currently in the midst of serving at a federal prison in Kentucky. A Warner Bros. 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. She sentenced him to 9-months in jail after finding Williams guilty of second-degree assault and official misconduct. Each faces up to 60 years in prison. Another convicted former detective, Maurice Ward, testified that some officers in the task force kept BB guns in their vehicles in case they needed to plant them on suspects, according to WBAL-TV. This included giving advice to a drug dealer after he discovered a police GPS tracker attached to his car. 7 Baltimore officers accused of abusing power, robbing citizens. Baltimore police officer Julie Pitocchelli, who was a member with the department since 1994, was suspended without pay in June after an investigation regarding overtime pay for officers. 14912. Burley's vehicle struck another, killing 86-year-old Elbert Davis in 2010. He resigned four months later amid the tax charges. A veteran police sergeant filmed allegedly arresting, threatening and harassing innocent men faces a slew of charges. 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. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. We Own This City, an HBO Max miniseries out April 25, about a Baltimore Police Department (BPD) task force unit that went rogue, highlights some of the biggest concerns with modern policing in America. Some people are upset at the way iPhones charge. They would see who ran out of the group, chase them, and detain them. The city is accepting responsibility and is being held accountable after the Board of Estimates approved the settlement at its meeting Wednesday morning. A 2016 Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation into the BPD found that significant levels of abuse and corruption within the department had gone on for years. 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