Post by WaTcHeR on Nov 22, 2006 16:39:17 GMT -5
11.22.2006 - A former Gwinnett County police officer has been sentenced to five years in prison after admitting he took bribes in exchange for tipping off massage parlors that were under investigation .
Officer Christopher In, 45, was also sentenced to 10 years probation, District Attorney Danny Porter said. In pleaded guilty Tuesday to a single count of bribery. The maximum sentence would have been 20 years.
In, who resigned from the Gwinnett police vice unit in September 2003, had been suspected of accepting gifts in exchange for tipping off employees of massage parlors to pending undercover sting operations.
In admitted tipping off massage parlors to pending raids about 10 times. He also admitted giving employees police radio frequencies.
The former officer said in court that he received a set of golf clubs and a gold chain for tipping off the massage parlors, but did not receive money.
"I'm sorry," said In, hanging his head. "I disgraced every police officer in the USA."
District Attorney Danny Porter said In was working with his girlfriend, Jane Yun Hi McKnight, who did receive money from the massage parlors.
Kwang Cha Yi, the manager of a spa, told authorities she paid money to In's girlfriend to be warned about the stings, according to police. Yi was arrested for keeping a place of prostitution and obstructing a police officer, according to arrest records.
McKnight also was arrested and is expected to plead guilty in December, Porter said.
Porter said In fell under suspicion when his fellow officers began to notice that he would break away from the rest of the group to make phone calls before raids. After investigators checked his cell phone records, Porter said the rest of the case came together easily.
Porter said this is the first officer bribery case he has dealt with in the county.
"We've been really lucky in Gwinnett County. I haven't had a situation like this," he said.
The plea helps send a message about police honesty, Porter said.
"After the plea today, his life was essentially ruined," Porter said. "He'll never be a police officer again."
www.accessnorthga.com/news/ap_newfullstory.asp?ID=83587
Officer Christopher In, 45, was also sentenced to 10 years probation, District Attorney Danny Porter said. In pleaded guilty Tuesday to a single count of bribery. The maximum sentence would have been 20 years.
In, who resigned from the Gwinnett police vice unit in September 2003, had been suspected of accepting gifts in exchange for tipping off employees of massage parlors to pending undercover sting operations.
In admitted tipping off massage parlors to pending raids about 10 times. He also admitted giving employees police radio frequencies.
The former officer said in court that he received a set of golf clubs and a gold chain for tipping off the massage parlors, but did not receive money.
"I'm sorry," said In, hanging his head. "I disgraced every police officer in the USA."
District Attorney Danny Porter said In was working with his girlfriend, Jane Yun Hi McKnight, who did receive money from the massage parlors.
Kwang Cha Yi, the manager of a spa, told authorities she paid money to In's girlfriend to be warned about the stings, according to police. Yi was arrested for keeping a place of prostitution and obstructing a police officer, according to arrest records.
McKnight also was arrested and is expected to plead guilty in December, Porter said.
Porter said In fell under suspicion when his fellow officers began to notice that he would break away from the rest of the group to make phone calls before raids. After investigators checked his cell phone records, Porter said the rest of the case came together easily.
Porter said this is the first officer bribery case he has dealt with in the county.
"We've been really lucky in Gwinnett County. I haven't had a situation like this," he said.
The plea helps send a message about police honesty, Porter said.
"After the plea today, his life was essentially ruined," Porter said. "He'll never be a police officer again."
www.accessnorthga.com/news/ap_newfullstory.asp?ID=83587