The Associated Press
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A former Memphis police officer pleaded guilty Thursday to a civil rights violation for stealing cash and drugs from drivers he pulled over, the Department of Defense announced.
Alexander Johnson, 27, said in his plea that he and another Memphis Police Department officer robbed drivers of cash, cocaine and marijuana.
He pleaded guilty to a one-count violation for conspiring to deprive individuals of their civil rights.
He faces a sentence of up to 10 years. He was prosecuted by the Department of Defense’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Memphis.
“The integrity of law enforcement officers, the vast majority of whom serve with great distinction, is essential to the administration of justice,” said Wan J. Kim, assistant attorney general for the division, in a press release.
“Where that integrity is compromised through a willful abuse of authority, the Justice Department will vigorously prosecute the requirements of federal law. A former Memphis reserve police officer, Andrew Hunt, was sentenced to 19 years in prison in December for his involvement in the robberies. “Criminal activity will not be tolerated by this administration,” said Memphis Police Department Director Larry A. Godwin, in a statement.