DETROIT (WJBK) -- A crackdown on corruption hits hard inside a local police department. The feds arrested several Highland Park officers on drug and bribery charges.
Highland Park auxiliary reserve officer Shawn Williams (pictured above) dodged my questions. After less than six months of audio and video surveillance, the FBI says their case is strong enough to lock up Williams and three other Highland Park officers for more than 50 years.
"Just this past Wednesday, the four officers went to Oakland Mall where they assisted in what they believe was a four kilogram shipment of cocaine. Each of those officers on Wednesday was paid either $1,000 or $1,500 by the source for protecting that shipment," said U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade.
Williams, officers Anthony Bynum and Price Montgomery and reserve officer Craig Clayton are accused of taking cash bribes and protecting and delivering drugs -- six kilos of cocaine -- sometimes while wearing their badges.
An FBI transcript of a conversation between Williams and an informant prove Williams knew he was protecting cocaine.
INFORMANT: You know this is big cocaine?"
WILLIAMS: I'm just doing security, man. That's all I know.
INFORMANT: I'm just saying because if you're squeamish...
WILLIAMS: I ain't squeamish at all.
"I want to send a message to any officer out there that would consider straying that you will be discovered, you will be identified, and you will be prosecuted," McQuade said.
Highland Park's police chief was most instrumental in bringing this case to the FBI after several complaints of stolen property and police brutality by Montgomery and Bynum.
Bynum also works for Detroit Public Schools.
The FBI has proof Montgomery and Bynum accepted $10,000 not to appear in court so charges against a criminal would be dropped. They agreed.
"And in a subsequent meeting when they were paying their bribe, the officers suggest to the man that they get involved together in robbing a drug dealer. They presumed that the man was himself a drug dealer and could assist them in robbing a rival drug dealer," said McQuade.
Then Bynum asked the FBI informant for opportunities to make more money.
INFORMANT: What do you charge to lay a [expletive] down?
BYNUM: How many?
INFORMANT: One, would twenty be good?
BYNUM: Yep.
An accused contract killer. $20,000 to take a life.
Despite being accused of taking thousands of dollars in bribes, all four officers asked for a court appointed attorney.
Tuesday, March 12 2013 4:33 PM EDT2013-03-12 20:33:13 GMT
The 75-year-old grandmother charged with open murder in the shooting death of her own grandson could take the stand any day in her own defense, but Tuesday belonged to the prosecution.
The 75-year-old grandmother charged with open murder in the shooting death of her own grandson could take the stand any day in her own defense, but Tuesday belonged to the prosecution.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:46 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:46:58 GMT
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:45 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:45:07 GMT
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
Monday, June 10 2013 7:54 PM EDT2013-06-10 23:54:52 GMT
There's a special place in hell for people who steal from churches, and you can bet its not air conditioned, but it was the A/C unit that was targeted at Christian Road Ministries on Detroit's west side.
There's a special place in hell for people who steal from churches, and you can bet its not air conditioned, but it was the A/C unit that was targeted at Christian Road Ministries on Detroit's west side.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:20 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:20:12 GMT
Detroit mayoral candidate Mike Duggan ended his campaign Wednesday and will not challenge an appeals court ruling that bars him from the August primary ballot.
Detroit mayoral candidate Mike Duggan ended his campaign Wednesday and will not challenge an appeals court ruling that bars him from the August primary ballot.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:13 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:13:58 GMT
A search of a rural field in suburban Detroit has failed to turn up the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, an FBI agent announced Wednesday as authorities ended the dig.
A search of a rural field in suburban Detroit has failed to turn up the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, an FBI agent announced Wednesday as authorities ended the dig.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:45 AM EDT2013-06-19 13:45:33 GMT
Kid Rock has added an eighth date to his "$20 Best Night Ever" tour at DTE Energy Music Theatre. Officials say tickets for the Aug. 20 show will go on sale at 10 a.m. on June 22.
Kid Rock has added an eighth date to his "$20 Best Night Ever" tour at DTE Energy Music Theatre. Officials say tickets for the Aug. 20 show will go on sale at 10 a.m. on June 22.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:22 AM EDT2013-06-19 13:22:54 GMT
FBI agents in suburban Detroit began a third day of digging Wednesday in the search for the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, who disappeared 38 years ago.
FBI agents in suburban Detroit began a third day of digging Wednesday in the search for the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, who disappeared 38 years ago.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:41 AM EDT2013-06-19 12:41:21 GMT
Mike Duggan is expected to lay out his future plans Thursday, one day after an appeals court ruled that he doesn't meet Detroit residency requirements to put his name on the ballot for the Aug. 6 primary elections.
Mike Duggan is expected to lay out his future plans Thursday, one day after an appeals court ruled that he doesn't meet Detroit residency requirements to put his name on the ballot for the Aug. 6 primary elections.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 7:35 AM EDT2013-06-19 11:35:18 GMT
Detroit City Council member Kwame Kenyatta says he quitting Friday. Kenyatta didn't give a specific reason, but he says the council is virtually powerless now that Detroit is being run by an emergency manager.
Detroit City Council member Kwame Kenyatta says he quitting Friday. Kenyatta didn't give a specific reason to radio station WWJ, but he says the council is virtually powerless now that Detroit is being run by an emergency manager.
Credit: Fox 2 News
