Keven Rodriguez.Photo: Raleigh Police Department
A police officer in Raleigh, N.C., is under arrest after authorities allege he was caught dealing cocaine from his marked patrol car while on duty and wearing his uniform.
“This complaint alleges that an on-duty Raleigh Police Department officer, in his police cruiser, with his gun, dealt drugs,” Michael Easley, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, said at a news conference Thursday.
“When one who wears the badge breaks the law, it breaches the public trust,” Easley said. “This alleged crime is a serious breach of public trust.”
On Wednesday, the officer, 33-year-old Keven Rodriguez, was arrested on charges of distributing cocaine and possession of a firearm “in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime,” Easley’s office said in anews release.
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As part of “an immediate investigation,” a confidential source arranged to meet Rodriguez on Jan. 24. Rodriguez, in uniform, allegedly arrived in his marked Raleigh police patrol car and with his duty firearm, Easley said.
The source then gave Rodriguez $2,600 in cash, and Rodriguez allegedly turned over 56 grams of cocaine, according to the criminal complaint.
He was charged with distribution of a quantity of cocaine, and possession of a firearm in a drug trafficking crime.
If convicted of the two counts, Rodriguez, who holds the rank of field operations division officer, faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison, and a maximum of life in prison.
Rodriguez was placed on leave without pay after his arrest, and is the subject of an internal affairs investigation, said Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson, reports theNews & Observer.
“The arrest of Mr. Rodriguez is a disappointment to me, the Raleigh police department, and the citizens and residents of our community,” Patterson said. “Although disheartening, I want to ensure transparency to maintain public trust.”
source: people.com
