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Press Release

Philadelphia Police Officer Charged With Attempted Extortion

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Pennsylvania

PHILADELPHIA - Thomas Vitanovitz, 32, of Philadelphia, PA, was charged by information today, with attempted extortion of an alleged drug dealer while working as a Philadelphia Police Officer, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  

According to the information, on July 21, 2015, while employed as a Philadelphia Police Officer assigned to the 24th District, Vitanovitz seized 50 pills that Vitanovitz believed to be a controlled substance from an individual identified in the indictment as Person 1, under the color of official right.

If convicted of all charges, Vitanovitz faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a possible fine, supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Philadelphia Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Arlene Fisk.

 

An Information is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Updated June 6, 2016

Topic
Public Corruption