Sergeant Wayne Jenkins Pleads Guilty To Federal Charges

BALTIMORE, MD — A Baltimore police sergeant has admitted to robbing citizens, selling stolen drugs and putting innocent men behind bars, among other offenses. Sgt. Wayne Jenkins posed as a federal agent and the U.S. Attorney when he was actually a corrupt Baltimore Police officer, according to his plea agreement.

Jenkins, 37, of Middle River, headed up a special gun task force that has since been disbanded. He is the highest ranking of seven officers who have entered guilty pleas for their roles in a racketeering conspiracy.

"...Jenkins schemed to steal money, property, and narcotics by detaining victims, entering residences, conducting traffic stops, and swearing out false search warrant affidavits," the U.S. Attorney said. "In addition, Jenkins prepared and submitted false official incident and arrest reports, reports of property seized from arrestees, and charging documents. The false reports concealed the fact that Jenkins and his co-conspirators had stolen money, property, and narcotics from individuals."

In federal court in Baltimore on Friday, Jenkins pleaded guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy; one count of racketeering; two counts of robbery; one count of destruction, alteration, or falsification of records in a federal investigation; and four counts of deprivation of rights under color of law.

He admitted to participating in seven robberies between May 2011 and August 2016, according to the agreement.

"I am ashamed of myself," Jenkins said in court Friday, according to ABC 2 News.

Among the offenses to which Jenkins admitted were the following:

• Stealing drugs from those he arrested and selling them
• Tipping off six co-conspirators that they were being investigated
• Putting two innocent men in jail after planting drugs in 2010
• Stealing illegal dirt bikes from riders, then selling them
• Falsifying overtime reports
• Stealing 12 pounds of high-grade marijuana intercepted by law enforcement in the mail
• Stealing prescription medicines from pharmacy looters after the April 2015 riots

He admitted to obstructing law enforcement, telling the others involved in the racketeering conspiracy about possible investigations. While the seven officers in the federal probe were detained at the Howard County Detention Center, prosecutors said he told his six co-conspirators to “keep their mouths shut” and “stick to the story."

According to the plea agreement, Jenkins will be sentenced to at least 20 years in prison and face a maximum of 30 years in prison.

• Indicted Baltimore Police Officers Charged With 13 More Robberies
• 7 Baltimore Police Officers Indicted In Racketeering Scheme

Pictured, Sergeant Jenkins, courtesy of Baltimore Police.