BALTIMORE—A federal grand jury has indicted Baltimore Police Officer Kendell Richburg, age 36, of Baltimore, on gun and drug conspiracy charges. The indictment was returned on January 17, 2013, and unsealed today.

The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Commissioner Anthony W. Batts of the Baltimore Police Department.

“Corrupt police officers insult the many honorable officers who serve with integrity,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. “Any officers who may be tempted to abuse their authority should be on notice that we have the power and obligation to hold them accountable.”

“Today’s criminal charges, the result of an investigation by Baltimore Police Internal Affairs Investigators and the FBI, are deeply disturbing and represent an egregious violation of the sacred trust citizens place in police officers,” said Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony W. Batts. “This joint investigation underscores the BPDs unwavering commitment to accountability. Our promise to the people of Baltimore is that we will continue to work diligently to ensure every member of this Baltimore Police Department deserves the respect and trust of our community.”

The three-count indictment alleges that from January 2011 through October 2012, Richburg was part of a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, and marijuana. Further, Richburg is charged with conspiring to and possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, including a .380 semi-automatic handgun and .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun.

Richburg faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for the drug conspiracy; 10 years in prison for the firearms conspiracy count; and a minimum mandatory sentence of five years in prison and a maximum of life in prison for use of firearms in relation to a drug trafficking crime. An initial appearance was held today at 1:45 p.m. in U.S. District Court in Baltimore before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Sullivan. Richburg is detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for January 22, 2013, at 9:30 a.m.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the FBI and Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys A. David Copperthite and Tonya N. Kelly, who are prosecuting the case.