2 Philadelphia Cops Sentenced For Setting Up Robbery Of Drug Dealer
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Two former Philadelphia police officers have been sentenced to prison after disgracing their badges and undermining public trust.
The defendants admitted conspiring with a group of drug dealers to rob another drug dealer -- who was actually an undercover agent (see previous story). Prosecutors say they had planned to resell the drugs themselves.
Now, Sean Alivera, 31, and Christopher Luciano, 24, have been sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison.
Philadelphia prosecutor Erica Wilson says they "disguised themelves as police officers" while acting as robbers, kidnappers, and drug dealers.
"They were basically betraying their fellow good police officers by working with the drug dealers out on the street," she told KYW Newsradio, "and I think by doing that they are putting their fellow officers at risk and they are not serving the community or victims of crime."
Wilson says they took money, which was recovered, but 20 pounds pounds of marijuana that was stolen during the sting was never recovered.
Family members of the former officers filled the courtroom. Some cried, some sobbed, uncontrollably at times. Both officers are married with small children.
Reported by Tony Hanson, KYW Newsradio 1060
