9 arrested, including 3 Pr. Geo.'s officers

By Mary Pat Flaherty and Matt Zapotosky

UPDATE

10:41 a.m.

U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein officially announced the arrests and charges in a press release. A total of nine people were arrested, including the three police officers. The charges are conspiracy to commit extortion and conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

There is no mention of County Executive Jack B. Johnson, and the charges may stem from the larger probe of corruption in Prince George's County.

The charges stem from a scheme involving the transport and distribution of untaxed cigarettes and alcohol.

Besides Sgt. Rich Delabrer and Cpl. Chong Kim, the third officer charged is Officer Sinisa Simic.

The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of $3.5 million, 25 properties, 13 vehicles and 84 bank accounts that allegedly are proceeds of crimes or were used to facilitate crimes.

Others involved include liquor store owners and the owner of a glass store.

Federal officials searched Tick Tock Liquors in Hyattsville Monday morning, according to reporter Hamil R. Harris. Officials could be seen checking computers.



Hamil R. Harris

Stay with Postlocal.com for more developments.





Officers arrested in Jack Johnson probe

9:56 a.m.

Two of the officers taken into custody Monday morning have been identified as Sgt. Rich Delabrer and Cpl. Chong Kim, according to sources familiar with the arrests. A third as yet unidentified officer was also taken into custody in Beltsville.



9:39 a.m.

The sergeant arrested Monday morning in Beltsville worked off-duty as a security officer at Tick Tock liquors in Hyattsville College Park, according to source familiar with the arrests. Two other officers also were picked up this morning in Beltsville.

Sources say the arrests are related to Friday's arrest of Prince George's County Executive Jack B. Johnson and his wife who each has been charged with witness tampering and destroying evidence .



9:16 a.m.

Prince George's Police Chief Roberto L. Hylton said Monday that three officers, two from Beltsville, were arrested this morning. He said the officer were picked up by federal agents at the station, but that the station was not being raided.

Sources with knowledge of the arrests say they are related to Friday's arrest of Prince George's County Executive Jack B. Johnson and his wife.

Each has been charged with evidence tampering and destroying evidence in a case the U.S. attorney called the "tip of the iceberg" in a broader corruption investigation in Prince George's.

Federal agents are said to be serving warrants at other locations in Beltsville and also at a liquor store in College Park, according to the sources.

9:01 a.m.

Three police officers were arrested Monday morning as they came to work in Beltsville, according to sources with knowledge of the arrests. The arrest are said to be related to the Friday arrest of Prince George's County Executive Jack B. Johnson and his wife.

Each was charged with evidence tampering and destroying evidence in a case the U.S. attorney called the "tip of the iceberg" in a broader corruption investigation in Prince George's.

At least two of those arrested were Prince George's officers. One is a sergeant and the other is a corporal, according to sources.

Federal agents are serving warrants at other locations in Beltsville and also at a liquor store in College Park, according to the sources.

