ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., June 9 (UPI) -- The FBI said it arrested a Florida homicide detective, accusing him of extorting cash, shoes and a flat-screen television from a confidential informant.
A criminal complaint alleges St. Petersburg Detective Anthony Foster demanded the gifts in exchange for helping the informant get lighter sentences on theft and drug charges, the St. Petersburg Times reported Thursday.
Foster, a 13-year department veteran, is charged with wire fraud and interference with commerce by threats and could face 20 years for each charge if convicted, the newspaper said.
St. Petersburg Police Chief Chuck Harmon said he knew nothing of the investigation until the arrest.
"It is certainly devastating when allegations are brought forward that one of your officers has committed a criminal act, and the fact that he may have used his position in the course of that act even makes it worse," Harmon said in a statement.
Foster, released on bail, was put on immediate unpaid leave.
