FBI says LA sheriff's deputy provided 'security' on narcotics shipments
Kenneth Collins
The U.S. Attorneyâs Office in California said  Los Angeles Deputy Sheriff Kenneth Collins   50  told an undercover agent that he would lead a team to accompany the narcotics shipment and âtake calculated steps to prevent legitimate law enforcement from intercepting the drugsâ in exchange for up to $250 000.
When asked why he charged so much   Collins  allegedly told the undercover agent  âWeâre copsâ and âall of our transports make it through.â
On Tuesday morning   Collins  and two other men arrived in Pasadena  Calif. to allegedly carry out the security task but were met with FBI agents and placed under arrest.
â Deputy Collins  sold  his  badge to assist an individual  he  thought was a drug trafficker â U.S. Attorney Nicola T. Hanna said in a statement. â The deputy  allegedly used  his  status as a law enforcement officer as a guarantee when  he  promised safe travels for large quantities of illegal narcotics. This case is part of our long-standing and ongoing commitment to root out corruption  particularly when it involves sworn law enforcement officers.â
The U.S. Attorneyâs Office said  Collins   Easter and Valencia carried out a similar security operation for an undercover agent in November. At the time  the three men allegedly helped transport what they believed was six kilograms of methamphetamine  along with marijuana and counterfeit cigarettes.
According to the affidavit  the FBI began investigating  Collins  after they suspected  him  of accepting cash payments to provide illegal security for illegal marijuana grow facilities and distributing other controlled substances.
 Collins   a 15-year veteran of the Los Angeles Sheriffâs Department  also allegedly told the undercover agent who was posing as a drug dealer he was available for other services  such as assaulting people who posed problems to the undercover agent in exchange for cash.
 Collins  and the other two men arrested Tuesday each face life in prison for federal drug trafficking conspiracy charges.
The LASD said it is cooperating with the FBI in the investigation and  Collins  has been placed on administrative leave.
The U.S. Attorneyâs Office in California said   [TGT] told an undercover agent that  [TGT]  would lead a team to accompany the narcotics shipment and âtake calculated steps to prevent legitimate law enforcement from intercepting the drugsâ in exchange for up to $250 000.
When asked why  [TGT]  charged so much    [TGT] allegedly told the undercover agent  âWeâre copsâ and âall of our transports make it through.â
On Tuesday morning    [TGT] and two other men arrived in Pasadena  Calif. to allegedly carry out the security task but were met with FBI agents and placed under arrest.
 [TGT] sold   [TGT]   badge to assist an individual   [TGT]   thought was a drug trafficker â U.S. Attorney Nicola T. Hanna said in a statement. â  [TGT] allegedly used   [TGT]   status as a law enforcement officer as a guarantee when   [TGT]   promised safe travels for large quantities of illegal narcotics. This case is part of our long-standing and ongoing commitment to root out corruption  particularly when it involves sworn law enforcement officers.â
The U.S. Attorneyâs Office said  Collins   Easter and Valencia carried out a similar security operation for an undercover agent in November. At the time  the three men allegedly helped transport what they believed was six kilograms of methamphetamine  along with marijuana and counterfeit cigarettes.
According to the affidavit  the FBI began investigating   [TGT] after they suspected   [TGT]   of accepting cash payments to provide illegal security for illegal marijuana grow facilities and distributing other controlled substances.
 Collins   a 15-year veteran of the Los Angeles Sheriffâs Department  also allegedly told the undercover agent who was posing as a drug dealer he was available for other services  such as assaulting people who posed problems to the undercover agent in exchange for cash.
 Collins  and the other two men arrested Tuesday each face life in prison for federal drug trafficking conspiracy charges.
The LASD said it is cooperating with the FBI in the investigation and   [TGT] has been placed on administrative leave.