MISSISSIPPI
Federal officials allege today that Jackson Police Officer Bryan Jones used his position in the police department to extort money from drug dealers.
According to a court affidavit, Jones, 44, assisted drug dealers by conducting illegal traffic stops, searches, and seizures on competitors or rival drug dealers.
If convicted of the extortion charges, Jones is facing up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, officials said.
On April 15, 2015, officials allege that Jones illegally stopped a vehicle and seized $5,000 from someone he believed to be a drug dealer coming into Jackson to purchase drugs.
The affidavit further states that Jones conducted an illegal stop on June 23, 2014 and seized cash from someone he believed to be a drug dealer. The cash taken by Jones on both occasions was never recorded or submitted to the Jackson Police Department; instead the cash was divided between Jones and another person.
Jones is presumed innocent until proven guilty, officials said.
The case was investigated by the FBI.