By Bill Rankin
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A former DeKalb County police officer has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges he abused his position of authority and lied to federal agents.
Donald Bristol, 41, of Lilburn appeared Tuesday before a U.S. magistrate to face charges he helped two separately charged defendants hide the fact they possessed a stolen car. Bristol also was charged with failing to report a felony, unlawfully accessing a government computer system and making numerous false statements to FBI agents when asked about it.
“The alleged criminal actions of this former officer tarnishes the DeKalb County police badge, it erodes the public’s trust in law enforcement and undermines the continued efforts of the men and women who honorably serve the residents of DeKalb County,” DeKalb police Chief William O’Brien said.
Beginning in April 2010, Bristol allegedly used his position as a police officer to help two defendants conceal the fact they possessed a stolen car. Bristol also illegally accessed a law enforcement database to provide his associates information about criminal histories and existing warrants, federal prosecutors said.
Bristol also made false statements to federal agents when asked about his involvement in the case, according to the federal indictment, which was handed up on May 25.
Copyright 2011 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution