{"id":5155,"date":"2014-07-31T19:28:34","date_gmt":"2014-08-01T02:28:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=5155"},"modified":"2014-07-31T19:29:47","modified_gmt":"2014-08-01T02:29:47","slug":"philly-cops-arrested-robbing-beating-kidnapping-extorting-suspects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=5155","title":{"rendered":"Philly Cops Arrested for Robbing, Beating, Kidnapping and Extorting Suspects"},"content":{"rendered":"

PENNSYLVANIA<\/strong> \u00a0– Six Philadelphia narcotics officers \u00a0were indicted for robbing, extorting, beating, kidnapping and threatening suspects<\/p>\n

The\u00a0indictment was unsealed Wednesday charging six members of the Philadelphia Police Department\u2019s Narcotics Field Unit in a conspiracy to abuse their official positions to rob suspected drug dealers.<\/p>\n

\"Philadelphia<\/a>The six who are assigned to the Police Department’s Narcotics Field Unit are Thomas Liciardello, Brian Reynolds, Michael Spicer, Perry Betts, Linwood Norman, and John Speiser.<\/strong><\/p>\n

They are charged in a racketeering, conspiracy, robbery, extortion, kidnapping, and drug dealing.<\/p>\n

In one alleged incident, authorities said a person was removed from his own home and held captive for several days in a hotel room while members of the enterprise threatened him and made threats against his family.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe reprehensible conduct alleged to have been committed by the six charged officers tarnishes the badge held by the thousands of officers who currently serve\u2014and have previously served\u2014this city with distinction,\u201d said U.S. Attorney Zane David Memeger. \u201cToday\u2019s indictment makes clear that my office will continue to thoroughly investigate credible allegations of police misconduct to bring to justice those officers who disrespect the badge.\u201d<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Charges also include RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to deprive of civil rights, deprivation of civil rights, Hobbs Act robbery, extortion, carrying a firearm during a crime of violence, falsifying records, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.<\/p>\n

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey \u00a0told the NBC TV affiliate <\/a>that each officer will be suspended for 30 days with the intent to dismiss.<\/p>\n

The alleged conduct occurred between February 2006 and November 2012, while the defendants were working as members of NFU.<\/p>\n

According to the indictment, during searches of suspected drug dealers and their homes, the defendants stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and personal items, including Rolex watches and electronics and, in some incidents, used excessive force such as:<\/p>\n