MONTGOMERY, AL—Former Wilcox County Deputy Greg Barge, 45, from Camden, Alabama, was sentenced yesterday for attempting to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine powder, and using a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced George L. Beck, Jr., United States Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama. After pleading guilty to these charges, District Court Judge Mark E. Fuller sentenced Barge to 90 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release.

According to court records, on April 10, 2013, May 7, 2013 and June 26, 2013, Barge transported packages that contained what he believed to be multiple kilograms of cocaine powder from Montgomery, Alabama to Camden, Alabama. The packages actually contained a substance that appeared to be cocaine, but was not cocaine. On each of those dates, Barge obtained the supposed cocaine in Montgomery and transported them to Camden using his law enforcement vehicle, dressed in his deputy uniform, and carrying his police issued firearm. Barge was paid $700 on April 10, 2013 for transporting 2 kilograms of what he believed to be cocaine, and $1200 on May 7, 2013 for transporting 3 kilograms. On June 26, 2013, Barge was arrested in Camden after transporting another 3 kilograms of the fake cocaine from Montgomery to Camden.

“Wearing a badge and uniform does not provide immunity from breaking the law,” stated U.S. Attorney George Beck. “Whether a county deputy, city police officer, or federal agent, wrongdoers will be punished. While the majority of law enforcement officers protect and serve our communities honorably, those who violate the public’s trust will be prosecuted.”

“The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to utilize all resources to investigate those who have taken an oath to serve and protect our communities and use their position as a public servant to shield their criminal activities and violate the trust of those they serve,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert F. Lasky.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board and the Alabama Department of Public Safety. First Assistant United States Attorney Clark Morris prosecuted the case.