Geez

[Unchained]

Update: Rural officer just out of police academy charged in drug sting

UPDATE: A St. Paul police officer was nabbed late Wednesday after trying to buy Oxycontin tablets from undercover narcotics officers, a prosecutor said.

Officer Davon Cory Phillips, 22, was in uniform when he tried to buy the drugs, and drove his police cruiser to the buy, authorities said.

Phillips had only graduated from the police academy Dec. 1.

Ron Elkins, Wise County's chief deputy prosecutor, said Phillips is charged with attempting to possess oxycontin, breaking and entering, and conspiracy to break and enter.

Elkins said police received information that the officer had bought narcotics before while on duty and that he spoke about wanting to purchase more.

An undercover sting was organized by agents of the Wise County Sheriff's Office, Virginia State Police and the Southwest Virginia Regional Narcotics Task Force.

Phillips confessed to all charges, Elkins said. He is out of jail on $20,000 bond.

The officer had a key to an elderly St. Paul resident's home and gave the key to another person who entered the home in search of drugs. Phillips was to get a share of the drugs, Elkins said.

Phillips had the key as part of the town Police Department's program to check on the welfare of elderly residents, the prosecutor said.

-----Press release

St. Paul Police Officer Devon Cory Phillips, 22, was arrested and charged with attempting to possess Oxycotin, Conspiracy to Commit Breaking and Entering and Breaking and Entering. An undercover operation organization by the Wise County Sheriff's Office, Virginia State Police, and the Southwest Virginia Regional Narcotics Task Force resulted in the charges, which were taken Wednesday night.

According to Chief Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney, Ron Elkins, authorities received information that Phillips previously purchased narcotics while on duty, and expressed interests in future purchases. Undercover officers and an informant arranged a deal with Phillips, and sold him 2 imitation Oxycotin tablets. He was in uniform and driving his Town of St. Paul Police Cruiser.

Authorities also allege Phillips had possession of a key to a St. Paul man's home gave it to another individual, who subsequently entered into the home in search of narcotics. In turn for providing the key, Phillips expected to receive part of the narcotics taken. Phillips was in possession of the key because St. Paul officers regularly checked the welfare of the St. Paul man.

Phillips was interviewed by agents from the Wise Country Sheriff's Office, Virginia State Police, and Southwest Virginia Regional Narcotics Task Force. He gave a full confession to the allegations and admitted to prior use of illegal drugs.

"I am so proud of the agencies involved in this arrest. It took a lot of work to organize this operation, thankfully we have some of the best officers in the Commonwealth"?, Elkins said.

[jtw61194]

That ain't good for public relations.

Well they can count up a handful they didn't even know about. Until the last two years. Not a very proud day for those in uniform. Esp. local enforcement. [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]