Pubdate: Fri, 06 Oct 2006
Source: New York Times (NY)
Copyright: 2006 The New York Times Company
Contact:  http://www.nytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/298
Author: William K. Rashbaum
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

EX-DETECTIVE TURNED DRUG DEALER GETS 6-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE

A corrupt former detective who was arrested in 2003 after he and his 
retired partner were caught on videotape stealing $169,000 from a 
drug courier was sentenced yesterday to six years in federal prison. 
He had faced nearly 22 years for stealing and reselling cocaine over 
five years.

The judge in the case, Carol B. Amon, of United States District Court 
in Brooklyn, handed down the sentence after listening to anguished 
remarks from the former detective, Julio C. Vasquez. Mr. Vasquez 
resigned from the Police Department days after he and his former 
partner, Thomas Rachko, were arrested on Nov. 27, 2003, on charges 
they robbed the courier. Mr. Vasquez began cooperating with federal 
authorities a short time later.

Standing before the judge, Mr. Vasquez, 46, dressed in a dark gray 
suit and a maroon tie, called his own acts reprehensible and 
acknowledged that he had violated the public trust and his oath of 
office "for no logical reason other than greed, avarice and an 
egotistical attitude."

He added: "I just became greedy, I became obsessed with acquiring 
things and that took me down this horrible path that I find myself on 
today." He said he had caused tremendous suffering for his wife and 
four children. His distraught wife sat in the courtroom gallery, at 
times crying during the proceeding.

After Mr. Vasquez's statement, Judge Amon asked him what had caused 
him to "go so wrong."

"I wish I could go back and I wish I could make things right, but 
unfortunately I can't," he said, wiping away a tear. "I realize what 
I have done is horrible, there is no excuse for it -- there is 
absolutely no excuse for it. I know I should be punished for my 
actions, I deserve to be punished and I expect to be punished."

Mr. Vasquez, who was assigned to the elite Firearms Investigation 
Unit, pleaded guilty in April 2004 to one count of conspiracy to 
possess and distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine. He and Mr. 
Rachko were accused of stealing and selling roughly 100 kilos of 
cocaine, and Mr. Vasquez returned to prosecutors more than $740,000 
in cash from his crimes, money he kept stashed in a self-storage 
locker. Judge Amon called Mr. Vasquez's crimes "extraordinarily 
serious," saying he used his position as a police officer to steal 
drugs, steal money and let drug dealers go free.

"There is nothing more serious than police officers who engage in 
this conduct and dishonor the badge," she said. "To me, it's more 
serious than drug dealing by a drug dealer."

Eric Franz, a lawyer who, along with Steven Brill, represented Mr. 
Vasquez, made a forceful argument to the judge.

He contended that she should take into account not only that the 
former detective cooperated with prosecutors, but also that the 
sentencing guidelines in his case -- 210 to 262 months -- were driven 
so high by his client's own statements and admissions to prosecutors.

The judge acknowledged the point, which was also made by the 
prosecutor in the case, Adam Abensohn, who filed a letter enabling 
her to sentence Mr. Vasquez to a term below the guidelines -- and 
below the mandatory 10-year minimum for the crimes -- because of his 
cooperation.

Ten current and former officers were implicated in the case after Mr. 
Vasquez and Mr. Rachko were arrested, prompting a sweeping corruption 
inquiry. But only two others have been charged criminally. All four 
pleaded guilty.

Mr. Rachko and a retired lieutenant, John Maguire, who the judge 
suggested played more of a leadership role in the crimes, are to be 
sentenced next week. Another former detective, Carlos Rodriguez, was 
sentenced to two years on money-laundering charges.

One other detective, Luis Nieves-Diaz, was fired as a result of the 
investigation, and the Police Department is seeking to fire another, 
Eric Wolfe, who has been accused of stealing drugs with Mr. Vasquez 
and committing perjury.

Mr. Franz said that his client would have considered a 10-year prison 
term a victory "because he had utter disdain for his own conduct."

"We're relieved that Judge Amon delivered upon him a sentence that 
will enable him to return to his wife and family before the glory 
years of his life are behind him," he said.
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