Jerry Allegood
News & Observer
RALEIGH, N.C. - A former Washington, N.C., police officer pleaded guilty Monday to federal charges of illegally stopping Hispanic drivers and stealing money from them during traffic stops.
Steven Ray Hilsinger, 33, entered the plea to four misdemeanor charges of willfully depriving individuals of their right against unreasonable searches and seizures.
U.S. Judge James C. Dever III accepted the plea and scheduled sentencing for March 3.
Hilsinger, who served as a patrol officer in Washington for about year, was arrested in September following an investigation by the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office and the State Bureau of Investigation. Two Washington businessmen reported that a police officer had robbed their employees, according to court records.
The U.S. Attorneys Office said in a news release that Hilsinger stopped Hispanic motorists for minor traffic violations Nov. 13 and Dec. 22, 2005. Instead of merely asking for identification, the release said, Hilsinger took their wallets and kept $60 in the first incident and $40 in the second.
Hilsinger was also charged with targeting and stealing money from a Hispanic driver Sept. 8 and 18. In those incidents, the driver was an undercover officer. Hilsinger took $220 in law enforcement funds Sept. 8 and another $120 Sept. 18, the release said.
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