Tarnished Badge

“Join us, Luke!” Darth Vader said in the well-known Star Wars movie. “Come over to the dark side.” He didn’t go for it.

But apparently some people have a difficult time fighting off the temptation to get involved in illegal drug trafficking. Let’s face it, money is alluring and so is power. A beginning Baltimore Policeman’s salary is about $41,000 to 42,000, which a lot of people would consider pretty good money today. But the drug dealers are pulling in a whole lot more at times, and for some people, it just looks like something they might be able to pull off without getting caught… Not for long.

Baltimore City Police Officer Daniel Redd, 41, appeared before Magistrate Judge Gallagher to try and explain his involvement with five others who were also charged.

Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld, III. said, “The allegations against Daniel Redd are an affront to and undermine the integrity of the hard working men and women of the Baltimore Police Department. When allegations of potential misconduct surfaced, the Baltimore Police Department immediately launched a comprehensive investigation and partnered with the FBI and United States Attorney’s Office. We will not tolerate corruption among our ranks.”

Redd was a uniformed patrol officer in the Northwest District of Baltimore. He bought heroin from the other defendants who received their supplies from somewhere in Africa. Redd allegedly distributed the heroin to others while he was on duty as a police officer. Talk about nerve! Not only did he buy and sell it, but he had the gall to do it while on duty. Furthermore, when he was caught, he was selling it to the undercover agent in the parking lot of the Northwest District Police Station.

Redd is now facing a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, and a possible life sentence for carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime. Whether he will be found guilty and sentenced to more time because of his position as a police officer is not yet known.

But when a person takes an oath to support and uphold the law and fails so miserably, there have to be severe consequences.