Dirty Cops Sentenced for Aiding Drug Dealers

By Justin Ove and Deb Belt

Five former police officers from DeKalb County were sentenced to federal prison for accepting thousands of dollars in cash payments to provide protection during staged drug deals that were part of a federal undercover operation.

“This case sent shock waves through Georgia law enforcement offices, both local and federal,” said United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates. “Certainly, these departments are filled with dedicated officers who literally risk their lives every day to make our communities safe. But this case revealed a troubling number of officers from a variety of law enforcement agencies who betrayed their oaths to protect and serve, taking cash from the very criminals they should have been arresting.”

Ten former law enforcement officers who served in various departments in Fulton and DeKalb counties will spend anywhere from one to nine years on the other side of the bars inside a federal prison, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Two civilians have also been sentenced for their roles in liaising between the crooked cops and the drug outfits.

According to the FBI, an informant tipped off the bureau about the possibility that police officers were being paid by drug dealers and drug cartels to protect illegal transactions. Investigators used an informant to begin a sting operation, which lured several dirty cops. Some of the officers even wore their uniforms and drove police vehicles while working for the crooks.

The sentenced former officers from DeKalb County are:

-Dennis Duren (DeKalb County Police Department), seven-year sentence
-Denoris Carter (Stone Mountain Police Department), three-year sentence
-Gregory Harvey (DeKalb County Sheriff Office), nine-year sentence
-Monyette McLaurin (DeKalb County jail), six-year sentence
-Chase Valentine (DeKalb County jail), 33-month sentence

Civilian Jerry B. Mannery Jr., 38, of Tucker, was convicted of participating in the drug transactions. He was sentenced to four years in prison.

The undercover investigation revealed the following:

-DeKalb County Police Department Officer Dennis Duren accepted $8,800 in exchange for protecting what he believed were four separate cocaine transactions in the Atlanta area between October and November, 2011. Duren was in uniform and carrying a weapon while performing these protection services.

-Another DeKalb police officer, Dorian Williams accepted $18,000 in exchange for protecting what he believed were three separate cocaine transactions between January and February 2013. He also wore his uniform and carried a gun during the deals.

-Stone Mountain Police Department Officer Denoris Carter accepted $23,500 to protect five supposed cocaine transactions in the Atlanta area. During four of the deals, Carter arrived in a patrol car and watched the transactions. During the fifth deal, Carter was on foot and was carrying a firearm.

-Monyette McLaurin, who was formerly employed at the DeKalb County jail but presented himself as an active duty DeKalb County Sheriff’s deputy, accepted $12,00 to protect two supposed cocaine transactions in January, 2013. Duing the deals, McLaurin wore a DeKalb Sheriff’s Office uniform with a badge and gun. Another former jail employee posing as a deputy, Chase Valentine, protected a drug deal on Jan. 17, 2013.

-Gregory Lee Harvey posed as DeKalb County detention officer and protected two supposed cocaine deals in December, 2012. During the deals, Harvey wore a black shirt with “SHERIFF” printed on the back.

-Non-law enforcement facilitator Jerry B. Mannery, Jr., introduced Carter and Peters to the informant contact, and coordinated ten sham drug deals those officers protected. Between April 2012 and February, 2013, Mannery received $30,000 for his services.