PHILADELPHIA, June 5 (UPI) -- Two former Philadelphia police officers have been charged with robbing drug dealers, federal prosecutors said Tuesday.
U.S. Attorney Zane David Memeger released an indictment naming Jonathan Garcia, 23, and Sydemy Joanis, 27, as defendants. Garcia was charged and arrested last year while his former partner was added in the superseding indictment.
Both are charged with robbery and weapons offenses. Garcia is also charged with heroin distribution.
Garcia and Joanis used their police car, service weapons and handcuffs in their robberies, Memeger said.
Investigators said the two officers used a confidential informant to plant drugs on suspected dealers. Joanis and Garcia would then allegedly pull them over, find the drugs left by the informant and search their cars.
"The defendants' alleged conduct in this case strikes at the very heart of the public trust that our citizens should have for our police officers," Memeger said. "It is a priority of my office to investigate and prosecute corrupt officers who taint their badges by using their power and authority to victimize others rather than to serve and protect the community."
In 2010, the 17th police district honored Joanis and Garcia as "Officers of the Month" for a drug bust, the Philadelphia Daily News reported.
