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URL: hMPp://www.buffalonews.com/city-region/police-blotter/buffalo-rookie-cop-charged-with-marijuana-growing-operation-20131121
A six-month investigation by Buffalo police into one of their own resulted today in a rookie cop being charged with operating a marijuana grow operation at his home in Buffalo.
James Hamilton Sr., who was on probationary status, was immediately fired after his arrest at Police Headquarters on Wednesday.
The grow operation was discovered in the basement of Hamiltons home at 165 Floss St. Police also recovered a shotgun in his bedroom.
We uncovered 93 marijuana plants and four pounds of loose marijuana," Police Commissioner Daniel Derenda said.
Hamilton, 29, who was recently named Officer of the Month by his union, faces several felony drug and weapons charges.
He will be arraigned this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder.
Prosecutors said Hamiltons arrest followed his sale of two quarter-pound quantities of marijuana for $1,100 to a confidential source in the Bailey-Broadway neighborhood of the city.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy C. Lynch said the defendant was then called down to Police Headquarters, where he was arrested.
Whether experienced or new to their position, this office will not hesitate to act when it receives evidence of criminal wrongdoing involving an officer, U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. said in a prepared statement.
Derenda said the investigation started in May and was led by his Internal Affairs and Narcotics units.
He said the investigation, which included the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Erie County Sheriffs Office, was welcomed by rank-and-file officers in his department.
Like any organization, you have bad apples," Derenda said. Most of our officers, 99 percent of them, do a great job and put their life on the line every day."
He added that Hamiltons arrest is part of a crackdown ordered by Mayor Byron W. Brown and aimed at officers involved in criminal activity.
The charges against Hamilton include possession with intent to distribute marijuana, manufacturing and possession with intent to distribute marijuana, maintaining a premises for the purpose of manufacturing and distributing marijuana and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The charges carry a minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum of life.
When dirty cops tarnish the badge," said Brian R. Crowell, DEA special agent in charge. their selfish acts disregard their pledge to protect the citizens of Buffalo.
A six-month investigation by Buffalo police into one of their own resulted today in a rookie cop being charged with operating a marijuana grow operation at his home in Buffalo.
James Hamilton Sr., who was on probationary status, was immediately fired after his arrest at Police Headquarters on Wednesday.
The grow operation was discovered in the basement of Hamiltons home at 165 Floss St. Police also recovered a shotgun in his bedroom.
We uncovered 93 marijuana plants and four pounds of loose marijuana," Police Commissioner Daniel Derenda said.
Hamilton, 29, who was recently named Officer of the Month by his union, faces several felony drug and weapons charges.
He will be arraigned this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder.
Prosecutors said Hamiltons arrest followed his sale of two quarter-pound quantities of marijuana for $1,100 to a confidential source in the Bailey-Broadway neighborhood of the city.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy C. Lynch said the defendant was then called down to Police Headquarters, where he was arrested.
Whether experienced or new to their position, this office will not hesitate to act when it receives evidence of criminal wrongdoing involving an officer, U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. said in a prepared statement.
Derenda said the investigation started in May and was led by his Internal Affairs and Narcotics units.
He said the investigation, which included the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Erie County Sheriffs Office, was welcomed by rank-and-file officers in his department.
Like any organization, you have bad apples," Derenda said. Most of our officers, 99 percent of them, do a great job and put their life on the line every day."
He added that Hamiltons arrest is part of a crackdown ordered by Mayor Byron W. Brown and aimed at officers involved in criminal activity.
The charges against Hamilton include possession with intent to distribute marijuana, manufacturing and possession with intent to distribute marijuana, maintaining a premises for the purpose of manufacturing and distributing marijuana and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The charges carry a minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum of life.
When dirty cops tarnish the badge," said Brian R. Crowell, DEA special agent in charge. their selfish acts disregard their pledge to protect the citizens of Buffalo.
