Former Pooler Police Officer Indicted on Charges Related to Drug Conspiracy

SAVANNAH, GA—John William Stanley, 46, of Pooler, Georgia, was indicted this week by a federal grand jury sitting in Savannah on charges related to a conspiracy involved in the illegal possession and distribution of numerous controlled substances. Stanley was charged with aiding and abetting that conspiracy, with assisting the conspirators in order to prevent their apprehension, and with concealing the conspirators’ crimes instead of reporting those crimes to the appropriate authorities. At the time of the charged crimes, Stanley was an officer with the city of Pooler Police Department.

United States Attorney Edward Tarver stated, “Those charged with enforcing the law are not above it. This office remains committed, with our law enforcement partners, to prosecuting public corruption, so that the citizens of this district can be confident in the true loyalties of those sworn to protect and defend them.”

No initial appearance in court has been scheduled. The most serious of the charges against Stanley carries a 20-year maximum prison sentence. Mr. Tarver emphasized that an indictment is only an accusation and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The investigation of this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Chatham Savannah Counter Narcotics Team, with assistance from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. The city of Pooler Police Department cooperated fully with the investigation. FBI Special Agent Christopher B. Blair is the lead case agent. First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham and Assistant United States Attorney R. Brian Tanner are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

Ricky Maxwell, Acting Special Agent in Charge, FBI Atlanta Field Office, stated, “Public corruption cases, by their very nature, are serious breaches of the public’s trust that require and receive priority investigative handling by the FBI. Those investigations involving police officers engaged in criminal conduct take on an even greater sense of urgency. The FBI will continue to make such cases a priority and asks that anyone with information regarding such activity to contact their nearest FBI field office.”

Pooler Police Chief Mark Revenew stated, “The city of Pooler Police Department fully cooperated with the investigation and is committed to eradicating corruption from the law enforcement profession. We want to ensure the public that allegations such as the ones here will not be tolerated.”

For additional information, please contact First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham at (912) 201-2547.