Former Jasper Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Bribery

BIRMINGHAM—A former Jasper police officer pleaded guilty today in federal court to soliciting and accepting a $5,000 bribe while a member of the city police force, U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and FBI Special Agent in Charge Patrick Maley announced.

Scottie Dewayne Wilkins, 30, of Winston County, entered his plea before U.S. District Judge Abdul K. Kallon to one bribery count charging him with soliciting and accepting the bribe on September 22, 2011, from an individual who had a probation matter pending in state court. Wilkins took the bribe “intending to be influenced and rewarded in connection with using his position as a police officer with the city of Jasper, Alabama Police Department to provide assistance” to the individual on his probation matter, according to the charge brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama. The individual who paid the bribe has not been named publicly.

Wilkins agreed to forfeit $5,000 and a diamond ring he bought on September 22.

“Most police officers work tirelessly every day to uphold their oath to protect and serve their communities. When an officer breaks the law instead of enforcing it, he or she will be prosecuted,” Vance said.

Wilkins’ sentencing is set for September 26. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the bribery count.

The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Henry Cornelius is prosecuting the case.