NEW YORK-
Admitting that he was driven by greed, a former detective who stole cash and drugs from dealers, then resold the drugs on the street, was sentenced to six years in prison.
Julio Vasquez was caught on video stealing $169,000 from a drug courier. His cooperation in the case led to 10 other officers being implicated, including a lieutenant and two other detectives.
“I just became greedy, I became obsessed with acquiring things and that took me down this horrible path that I find myself on today,” Vasquez told a federal judge at his sentencing Thursday.
Vasquez could have received a maximum 21 years in prison for stealing and reselling cocaine over five years. He pleaded guilty in 2004 to one count of conspiracy to possess and distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine.
Vasquez resigned from the department shortly after he was arrested in 2003 with his partner, retired Detective Thomas Rachko, on charges they robbed the courier.
Rachko was scheduled to be sentenced next week.
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