Police Chief Charged with Accepting Cash in Return for Protecting Drug Deals, Purchasing Restricted Police Equipment
| U.S. Attorney’s Office October 31, 2011 |
PITTSBURGH, PA—A resident of Washington, Pa. has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on three charges of violating the Hobbs Act, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
The three-count indictment, returned on Oct. 26, and unsealed today, named Donald Abraham Solomon, 55.
“I want the public to know that corrupt public officials have no place in Western Pennsylvania,” stated U.S. Attorney Hickton. “Criminal activity by law enforcement officers threaten to stain the reputation of every man and woman who wears a badge, and who has taken an oath to protect and serve.”
According to the indictment, Solomon was the Chief of Police of East Washington Borough, Pennsylvania. He allegedly received payments from a purported drug dealer, who was an undercover FBI agent, to protect drug shipments and to purchase law enforcement restricted Tasers.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000.00, or both at each count. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Robert S. Cessar is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.