Former Jackson Police Officer Sentenced to Six Months in Prison for Civil Rights Violations
| U.S. Attorney’s Office July 06, 2012 |
JACKSON, TN—Former Jackson Police Department Officer David Dreblow, 26, was sentenced to six months in prison today by United States District Judge J. Daniel Breen, announced United States Attorney Edward L. Stanton, III; Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Thomas E. Perez; Special Agent in Charge of the Memphis Federal Bureau of Investigation Field Office Aaron T. Ford; and Chief of Police Gill Kendrick of the Jackson, Tennessee Police Department. Dreblow was also sentenced to two years’ supervised release following his incarceration, which will begin with a six-month term of home confinement.
Dreblow pled guilty on April 3, 2012, to conspiring with former Jackson Police Officer Marvent Brooks to violate the civil rights of a shooting victim by stealing approximately $1,200 from him while they processed the crime scene.
Dreblow’s co-defendant, Marvent Brooks, pled guilty to conspiracy to violate civil rights and an unrelated firearms charge on January 13, 2012, and was sentenced to 22 months in prison on May 18, 2012.
“The credibility of our justice system depends on the integrity of the people who are sworn to enforce and defend our laws,” said United States Attorney Edward L. Stanton, III. “When a trusted law enforcement official breaks the law for selfish gain, we will remain vigilant in aggressively prosecuting such nefarious and criminal conduct to the fullest extent of the law.”
“By stealing from a crime victim, Mr. Dreblow failed to honor his promise to protect and serve,” said Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez. “The Justice Department is committed to ensuring that officers who engage in criminal conduct are brought to justice.”
“When an officer of the law demonstrates a willingness to assist in criminal activities, it shows a complete disregard for the public trust,” said Aaron T. Ford, Special Agent in Charge of the Memphis Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. “The FBI and its law enforcement partners will always work to bring to justice those who violate the civil rights of others, and this sentencing should be a reminder that wearing a badge does not make one above the law.”
“David Dreblow and Marvent Brooks made decisions that ultimately led to their termination as Jackson Police officers and to their criminal prosecutions. The community suffered a loss of trust as a result of their actions,” said Deputy Chief Gerry Campbell. “As members of the Jackson Police Department, we also suffered a betrayal of trust by men we worked beside that took the same oath to uphold the law and to protect and serve that we all take. I hope this outcome will sustain the community’s confidence, respect and trust in the department that we hold so sincerely.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and the Jackson, Tennessee Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan Skrmetti and Trial Attorney Christopher Lomax from the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice.