Law Enforcement: This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

Submitted by Phillip Smith on (Issue #545)
Drug War Issues

Prison guards get busted as cocaine traffickers in Louisiana and New Jersey, and a pair of North Carolina cops plea to helping out the local cocaine trade. Let's get to it:

In Lake Charles, Louisiana, a Texas prison guard was arrested Monday night after Louisiana state troopers found 1.2 pounds of cocaine in her vehicle during a drug dog search after a traffic stop. LaQuatta Felder of Houston works at the Darrington Penitentiary in Rosharon, Texas, and was traveling with a former Darrington prisoner, Joseph Harris. Both were booked into the the Jefferson Davis Parish Jail for possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

In Newark, New Jersey, a veteran Newark prison guard was charged July 24 with leading a cocaine trafficking ring that bought the drug in Texas and Florida and sold it in New Jersey. Senior corrections officers Eugene Braswell, 29, worked at Northern State Prison. He first came under scrutiny last August, when he shot and killed a former Northern State prisoner outside his home. The investigation into that shooting led to two arrests earlier this month, and then Braswell and three others were arrested last week. Police found $16,000 in cash and a .357 magnum revolver when they searched his home. He is charged with leading a narcotics network, other drug charges, money laundering and conspiracy. Bail was set at $500,000.

In Charlotte, North Carolina, two former Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers have cut a plea deal with federal prosecutors in the case against them for conspiring with a drug dealer and an informant to sell crack cocaine. Ex-officers Gerald Holas Jr. and Jason Ross agreed to guilty pleas in return for a prosecutorial recommendation they be sentenced to the statutory 10-year minimum sentence for drug conspiracy. In return for the recommended minimum, the two men must make "full, accurate and complete disclosure" to federal authorities about their involvement in the conspiracy. If they're found to have lied, or if they commit any crime, the deal is off. The pair went down after a confidential informant told the FBI a drug dealer was being protected by them. They claimed they were "working" the dealer to make more arrests, but the feds didn't buy that. Now, local prosecutors say they will dismiss any drug cases brought by the pair. Those could number in the hundreds. The plea bargain must be approved by a federal judge in the fall.

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Comments

Anonymous (not verified)

Gerald Holas is scum and I hope his time is miserable. I told him about drug dealing going on in my neighborhood and it turned out to be someone he was protecting. Instead of arresting or even looking into the problems with my neighbors he sent the dogs to my house. The swat team was sent in and when no illegal activity or drugs were found they took my prescription medication and put it in a bag and charged me with PWISD prescription narcotics. I have severe reumatiod arthritis and that was why I had those prescriptions. I was offered a deal that they not seek 5 years and with a wife and home to take care of I took it. The prosecutor asked the judge for my firearms and was granted them so they got 130000 dollars worth of guns for the police department. Well played boys...just remember when a pitbull is not bothering you don't back him into a corner!!!

Wed, 01/14/2009 - 5:15pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

In Sulphur La the law protects a family of Drug Dealers. On North Kim St. They told people that live down their street .They was going to kill them,treid to run people off the road. Found out the reason nothing happens to them ? I've been told THEY MAKE TO MUCH MONEY for the LAW.

Thu, 01/22/2009 - 4:45pm Permalink

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Source URL: https://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/2008/aug/01/law_enforcement_weeks_corrupt_co