Memphis Police Officer Charged with Federal Drug Violations
| U.S. Attorney’s Office December 20, 2011 |
MEMPHIS, TN—Michael Shane Sinnock, age 35, of Memphis, Tennessee, an officer with the Memphis Police Department, was charged with possession and attempted possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841 and 846, announced United States Attorney Edward L. Stanton, III, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Aaron T. Ford, and Memphis Police Director, Toney Armstrong.
According to information provided to the court, on or about December 14, 2011, Sinnock, being aided and abetted by others, attempted to possess with the intent to distribute 200 pounds of marijuana.
Sinnock committed this act while on duty and in uniform.
Sinnock was arrested on December 16, 2011 after arranging the purchase of 20 tablets of hydrocodone bitartrate (Loritab). Sinnock was found in possession of 20 tablets of Loritab without a prescription incident to arrest. Sinnock was driving a patrol vehicle and was on duty and in uniform at the time.
“As the Criminal Complaint alleges, Officer Sinnock abused his position of trust by violating the very laws he swore to uphold and defend as a Memphis Police Department officer,” stated United States Attorney Edward L. Stanton, III. “This office and our law enforcement partners will continue to weed out and vigorously prosecute public corruption, as no individual or group is above the law.”
“Investigating public corruption remains the top criminal priority of the FBI,” said Aaron T. Ford, Special Agent in Charge of the Memphis Division of the FBI. “The Memphis Division of the FBI and the Tarnished Badge Task Force are committed to identifying, investigating and working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to ensure prosecution of law enforcement officials who have chosen to operate outside the confines of the laws they themselves were supposed to be enforcing.”
“This officer’s actions are a disappointment to not only the Memphis Police Department, but also to the citizens of Memphis. We work hard as a department to represent trust, honor, and integrity. When an officer makes choices such as these, it gives the entire department a black eye. This in no way should be a reflection on the officers who work hard and diligently to service the citizens of Memphis. I will not tolerate this type of behavior from a member of my department, and we will assist with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the prosecution of Sinnock,” said Memphis Police Director Toney Armstrong.
This crime was investigated by the Tarnished Badge Task Force, which is comprised of investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Memphis Police Department, and Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brian K. Coleman on behalf of the federal government.