Two Jackson Police Officers Indicted for Stealing Money from Robbery Victim

JACKSON, TN—United States Attorney Edward L. Stanton, III, and Jackson Police Chief Gill Kendrick announced the indictment of Jackson Police Officers Marvent Brooks and David Dreblow for violating the civil rights of a robbery and shooting victim.

The indictment charges that on August 3, 2010 the victim was shot and robbed during a home intrusion. Officers Marvent, Dreblow, and a third officer were dispatched to the scene to investigate. While searching the residence during the investigation, Officer Brooks found $1,256 under the victim’s bed. Brooks asked the other two officers if they wanted some of the money. Officer Dreblow agreed and the third officer refused. The indictment charges that Brooks and Dreblow later divided the money between themselves and filed false paperwork that failed to report the money. The indictment also alleges that Brooks and Dreblow contacted the third officer several times and attempted to recruit him to cover up their crime.

The grand jury charged Brooks and Dreblow with conspiracy to violate the rights of the victim in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 241. The defendants face a maximum possible punishment of five years’ imprisonment, a $250,000.00 fine, three years’ supervised release and a $100 dollar special assessment if convicted. Brooks was also charged with possession of an illegal firearm in violation of Title 26 United States Code, Sections 5845, 5861, and 5871. Brooks faces a maximum possible punishment of 10 years’ imprisonment, a $10,000 fine, three years’ supervised release and a $100 special assessment.

This indictment is a result of a joint investigation conducted by the Jackson Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan Skrmetti and Department of Justice Civil Rights Section Trial Attorney Christopher Lomax are prosecuting the case.