Former Police Officer Admits Guilt in Robbery Plan
| U.S. Attorney’s Office February 24, 2014 |
PHILADELPHIA—Former Philadelphia Police Officer Jeffrey Walker pleaded guilty today to a scheme in which he planned to rob a drug dealer while on official duty. Walker pleaded to attempted robbery that interferes with interstate commerce and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
Walker told a cooperating witness (CW) that he wanted the CW to help him identify a drug dealer so that Walker could conduct a car stop for suspected drug violations or plant drugs in the car. On May 21, 2013, the CW informed Walker of a car parked outside a bar on West Girard Avenue. Walker drove up to the car, placed drugs inside the car, and then followed the driver when that person left the bar. When the car was pulled over, Philadelphia Police, including Walker, took the key to the driver’s home. Walker and the CW went to the driver’s home. When they exited the home, Walker was arrested and was in possession of $15,000 that he had taken from the house.
U.S. District Court Judge Eduardo C. Robreno scheduled a sentencing hearing for May 21, 2014. Walker faces an advisory sentencing guideline range of up to 10 years in prison.
The case was investigated by the FBI and Philadelphia Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Wzorek.