BALTIMORE, MD—A former Maryland State Trooper pleaded guilty to federal drug and bribery charges after trying to sell information to a drug trafficking organization, federal authorities announced.
Justin Riggs, 35, of Smithsburg, conspired to sell information to a drug trafficking organization, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland reports.
Riggs pleaded guilty to federal charges of conspiracy to distribute and conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances, use of a communication facility in causing or facilitating the conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, and Travel Act-State of Maryland bribery.
“As a law enforcement officer, Justin Riggs violated his sworn duty to uphold the public trust and put a life in harm’s way,” Acting United States Attorney Phil Selden said in a statement. “The District of Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office will relentlessly pursue corrupt law-enforcement officers who try to dishonor their badge as we also work to support the many honorable officers whose reputations they unfairly tarnish.”
In December 2022, Riggs was a member of a Maryland State Police team investigating drug and gun trafficking in Western Maryland. The team used at least one confidential human source during the investigation, according to his guilty plea.
Riggs created a fake Facebook account to contact a drug distributor target, federal authorities said.
While corresponding with the drug distributor, Riggs told him that he worked “for a fed agency” and that he had “tons more info pertaining to your biggest informant,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Riggs initiated several electronic conversations with the drug distributor between 2022 and 2023, attempting to sell the informant’s identity, federal authorities said.
The parties have agreed that if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Riggs could spend 48 to 108 months in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher will schedule a sentencing date at a later time.
“Not only did Riggs deliberately and willingly violate the oath he took as a sworn law enforcement officer, but he also put other lives at risk with his greed and deceit,” said Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Baltimore Field Division. “The FBI is committed to working with our partners to thoroughly investigate such cases to protect the American people and preserve public trust in law enforcement.”
This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.
Photo via Pixabay
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