Sealed Indictment Charging an HPD Officer Unsealed Following His Arrest

HOUSTON—A Houston Police officer has been arrested following the return of an indictment by a Houston grand jury charging him with drug trafficking and corruption, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today along with FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen L. Morris.

A two-count indictment was returned under seal on Wednesday, June 22, 2011, charging Houston police officer Leslie Aikens, 46, of Houston, a 19-year veteran of the Houston Police Department (HPD). The indictment was unsealed today following Aiken’s arrest by officers with Houston Police Department Internal Affairs, Texas Rangers, and agents of the FBI as he went off-duty at the HPD substation where he is assigned. Aikens appeared late this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mary Milloy and has been ordered released on a $50,000 bond.

Aikens is charged with aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine on or about March 10, 2011. He is also charged with extortion under color of official right or a Hobbs Act violation for allegedly accepting a $2,000 bribe to provide protection for a vehicle which he believe to be transporting seven kilograms of cocaine.

The drug offense charged in count one of the indictment carries a statutory penalty of not less than 10 years or more than life imprisonment and a $10 million fine upon conviction. The Hobb’s Act violation as alleged in the second count of the indictment count carries a statutory penalty upon conviction of 20 years’ incarceration without parole and a $250,000 fine.

The investigative effort resulting in the charges was conducted by the Houston office of the FBI, Texas Rangers, and HPD.

Assistant U.S. Attorney James McAlister is prosecuting the case.