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This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

Submitted by Phillip Smith on (Issue #979)
Drug War Issues

Deputies disgrace themselves and more. Let's get to it:

In Clovis, New Mexico, a now former Curry County sheriff's deputy was arrested last Friday for allegedly stealing methamphetamine while on the job. Brandon Nolen reportedly made a March 20 traffic stop and seized about four grams of meth, a gun, and drug paraphernalia. Days later, Nolen, who had to undergo drug testing because of an earlier "alcohol problem," then tested positive for amphetamines. That's when investigators discovered the meth he had seized was gone from the evidence locker. Now, the DA's office says it has had to dismiss more than 30 cases brought by Nolen. He is charged with meth possession, perjury, and tampering with public records.

In Belle Plaine, Minnesota, a Sibley County sheriff's deputy was charged Monday with drug and trespassing offenses after being seen at the sheriff's office while on paid administrative leave and then leading deputies on a chase before stopping and being found with prescription drugs. Deputy Jason David Ruehling is suspected of stealing the pills from the evidence room, but so far is only charged with a felony count of drug possession and two counts of trespassing.

In Little Rock, Arkansas, a former Drew County sheriff's deputy was sentenced last Friday to five years' probation after pleading guilty to scheming to plant methamphetamine on someone in order to make an arrest. Robert "Bo" Sunderlin, 26, went down after telling someone about the plot and that someone ratted him out to authorities. He pleaded guilty to using a communication device in the commission of a drug offense and abuse of office. A charge of methamphetamine solicitation was dropped as part of the plea agreement.

In San Diego, a US Border Patrol agent pleaded guilty last Thursday to smuggling backpacks he believed were full of drugs across the border. Noe Lopez, a 10-year veteran, struck up a friendship with a man he met at a party and bragged about how could smuggle drugs left at strategic points along the border fence, but the guy he bragged to went to the DEA, which set up a sting where Lopez would be paid $500 per kilo of meth and $1,000 per kilo of cocaine in backpacks he picked up at the border. The drugs were fake, but Lopez was really arrested. He pleaded guilty to attempted possession of meth and cocaine.

Permission to Reprint: This content is licensed under a modified Creative Commons Attribution license. Content of a purely educational nature in Drug War Chronicle appear courtesy of DRCNet Foundation, unless otherwise noted.

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