FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACTAUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC or MARCIA MURPHY at 410-209-4885

APRIL 7, 2006

JURY CONVICTS BALTIMORE CITY POLICE OFFICERS KING AND MURRAY OF ROBBERY, DRUG TRAFFICKING AND FIREARMS OFFENSES

Police Officers Convicted of 32 out of 33 Counts

BALTIMORE, Maryland - A federal jury today convicted William King, age 35, of Baltimore, Maryland and Antonio Murray, age 35, of Abingdon, Maryland, of conspiracy to obstruct, commerce by robbery; conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin, marijuana and over five grams of cocaine base; and conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of a crime of violence, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein announced. Additionally, King was convicted of 13 counts, and Murray was convicted of 6 counts, of possession of firearms in furtherance of a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime. King was convicted of seven robberies and Murray was convicted of four robberies. King was convicted of seven counts, and Murray was convicted of four counts of possession with intent to distribute heroin. King was also convicted of distribution of marijuana and cocaine base.

King and Murray are police officers with the Baltimore City Police Department.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein said, “These corrupt police officers used their law enforcement powers to rob and to deal drugs. They betrayed the community and the many good, honest, hard-working police officers who risk their lives on the streets of Baltimore every day. The jury’s resounding verdict makes clear that corruption will not be tolerated by the citizens of this city.”

Acting Special Agent in Charge Frank E. Goetz of the Federal Bureau of Investigation stated "Public Corruption is one of our highest priorities, and we in the FBI will aggressively pursue anyone, individual or group, who threatens to destroy the inherent trust the citizens of Maryland bestow upon our public servants. Today the jury endorsed that message."

Testimony at trial proved that from August 2004 until May 2005, King and Murray conspired to obtain by robbery cocaine base, heroin and marijuana, and proceeds from the sales of such narcotics. Witnesses testified that King and Murray used their police powers, while armed with their issued service pistols, to detain drug traffickers inside police vehicles and on the streets of Baltimore City. Evidence presented at trial showed that King and Murray took the drugs and drug proceeds from the drug traffickers through threats of force, arrest and prosecution. They would release the drug traffickers without any resulting charges or prosecution. King and Murray then split the proceeds of the illegal seizures from the drug traffickers, as well as the proceeds from the sale of the drugs they seized from the drug traffickers.

King and Murray face a maximum sentence of 20 years and a $250,000 fine for conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery; 20 years and a $1 million fine for each count of distribution of heroin; up to life in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime; and five years and a $250,000 fine for conspiracy to distribute marijuana. Additionally, King faces a maximum sentence of 40 years and a $2 million fine for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute over five grams of cocaine base; 40 years and a $2 million fine for distribution of over five grams of cocaine base; and five years and a $250,000 fine for distribution of marijuana. Murray faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine for conspiracy to distribute cocaine base.

King and Murray have been detained pending sentencing, which U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz set for May 31, 2006 at 9:30 and 10:00 a.m., respectively.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the Federal Bureau of Investigation for its investigative work and thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys A. David Copperthite and Charles J. Peters, who prosecuted the case.