Sheriff's Deputy Arrested for Extorting Alleged Drug Dealer

Memphis, TN – A Shelby County Sheriff's Office deputy has been arrested for attempting to extort thousands of dollars from an alleged drug dealer. Edward L. Stanton III, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the criminal complaint today.

According to court documents, Jeremy Drewery, 41, of Arlington, Tennessee, demanded money from a confidential source after the source was arrested on drug charges. In exchange for the money, Drewery promised the source exemption from criminal charges. The source reported the extortion attempt to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). And the source subsequently made a series of payments to Drewery, all recorded by the FBI.

Drewery was assigned to the Shelby County Sheriff's Office’s Narcotics Task Force.

On Wednesday, September 7th, Drewery had his initial appearance in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Diane K. Vescovo.

Drewery is charged with one count of Hobbs Act Extortion.

If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

This case is being investigated by the Tarnished Badge Task Force, which is comprised of investigators from the FBI, Memphis Police Department and the Shelby County Sheriff's Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Reagan M. Taylor is prosecuting this case on the government's behalf.

The charges and allegations in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.