A former Philadelphia police officer was sentenced to 42 months in prison Wednesday for a scheme in which he planned to rob a drug dealer while on-duty.
Jeffrey Walker, 47, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery which interferes with interstate commerce and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
In addition to the prison term, a U.S. District Court Judge ordered three years of supervised release for Walker, a $5000 fine and a $200 special assessment.
Walker, who was caught in an FBI sting, said he routinely stole money and valuables during illegal drug raids, which he said was standard procedure in his undercover unit.
He alleged in testimony in the federal trial of six other officers that the defendants planted evidence, roughed people up, and lied to win convictions. Defense attorneys attacked his credibility and that of admitted or suspected drug dealers called as witnesses, and a federal jury acquitted all six defendants.
Scores of drug convictions were overturned following Walker's plea and the indictment against the other officers, and scores of civil-rights lawsuits are pending.
