WASHINGTON D.C.—Thirteen current and former law enforcement officers and two other individuals were indicted and arrested for allegedly protecting narcotics shipments and cash proceeds for what they believed was a large-scale drug trafficking organization, officials said Thursday.
The drug organization was actually an undercover operation by the FBI, officials said.
“Corruption in local government—especially involving law enforcement—threatens the social compact that binds our communities together,” said Assistant Attorney General Leslie Caldwell.
Adding, “When the officer with a gun and a badge is no different from the trafficker peddling drugs in the street, we all suffer. That is why the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners in North Carolina and throughout the country are determined to root out corruption, wherever and in whatever form it may be found.”
“They vowed to protect and serve, but instead these deputies and correctional officers sold their badges and used their law enforcement positions to line their own pockets,” said Special Agent in Charge John Strong. “Public corruption at any level is the number one criminal priority of the FBI and we will work aggressively to protect the public trust.”
The following individuals were indicted in the Eastern District of North Carolina and arrested today in a coordinated operation by the FBI:
Lann Tjuan Clanton, 36, a correctional officer with the Virginia Department of Corrections
Ikeisha Jacobs, 32, a deputy with the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office
Jason Boone, 29, a deputy with the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office
Wardie Vincent Jr., 35, formerly of the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office
Adrienne Moody, 39, a correctional officer with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety
Cory Jackson, 43, formerly of the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office
Jimmy Pair Jr., 48, a deputy with the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office
Curtis Boone, 31, a deputy with the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office
Antonio Tillmon, 31, a police officer with the Windsor City Police Department
Alaina Kamling, 27, a correctional officer with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety
Kavon Phillips, 25, a correctional officer with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety
Crystal Pierce, 31, of Raleigh, North Carolina
Alphonso Ponton, 42, a correctional officer with the Virginia Department of Corrections
Thomas Jefferson Allen II, 37, a deputy with the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office
Tosha Dailey, 31, a 911 dispatch operator for Northampton County.
All 15 defendants are charged with conspiring to distribute controlled substances and conspiring to use and carry firearms during and in relation to drug trafficking offenses, officials said.
Other charges against certain defendants include attempted extortion, attempted possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, money laundering, federal programs bribery and use and carry of firearms during and in relation to crimes of violence and drug trafficking offenses, according to authorities.
The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Charlotte Division, Raleigh Resident Agency and the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, with assistance from the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office.