The beat goes on. This week, we have a trio of ethically-challenged cops, and, of course, a crooked jail guard. Let's get to it:

[inline:prisonguard.jpg align=left caption="If we can't keep drugs out of the prisons, how can we keep them out of the country?"]In Newark, New Jersey, a Newark police officer was indicted Tuesday by a federal grand jury for being part of a ring of people who were "stealing money and narcotics from narcotics dealers and their associates," according to the indictment. Sgt. Michael Lalley is charged with obstructing an FBI investigation and witness tampering. He is accused of asking one person to lie about a sexual relationship they had when that person was a minor. He is also accused of paying that person $60 for sex acts at his home and at a Newark police station and giving her cocaine and marijuana. He is accused of similar offenses with another woman, as well. The offenses all occurred in the 1990s.

In Salt Lake City, a former West Jordan police sergeant was arrested last Friday on charges he dealt drugs and stole seized money. Aaron Jensen, 34, is charged with distribution of a controlled substance, a second-degree felony, and two counts of misuse of public money, a third-degree felony. In one incident, Jensen was given $1,239 in cash that was seized during an arrest, but when the man was released, Jensen returned only $583. In another, he allegedly bought cocaine and heroin from two men in 2008. The two men later told investigators Jensen had contacted them earlier and said he would not arrest them if they worked as snitches for him. When Jensen was fired as a police officer, other officers cleaning his desk found several balloons of heroin and cocaine, as well as copies of the drivers' licenses for the two men from whom he bought drugs.

In Madison, Wisconsin, a state Justice Department narcotics agent pleaded not guilty last Friday to stealing drug money in an FBI sting. Agent Johnny Santiago was charged in March with theft of government property. He allegedly stole $1,100 that FBI agents planted in a vacant store he was sent to search.

In Albuquerque, a Metro Detention Center guard was arrested Tuesday after he was caught carrying heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana, and tobacco as he showed up for work. Guard Anthony Kennedy went down following a two-week investigation after jail administrators got a tip he might be bringing contraband into the jail. It is unclear what the formal charges will be at this point.