Former Richmond vice officers sentenced in club extortion case

AUGUSTA - Two former Richmond County vice officers have been sentenced to prison terms for extorting money from a strip club owner and accepting bribes. <br> <br> Roderick Berry and Stoney R. Turnage told a federal judge Monday that they have lost the most important thing in their lives, their law enforcement careers. <br> <br> The men were indicted in December after being accused of accepting $40,000 in cash, tickets to the Masters golf tournament, shirts and Cuban cigars in exchange for allowing an Augusta nightclub to keep its entertainment license. <br> <br> They pleaded guilty in February to conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by extortion. <br> <br> ``After hearing from the character witnesses and my family, I only have one question how could I be so stupid?&#39;&#39; Turnage, 47, told U.S. District Court Chief Judge Dudley H. Bowen Jr. <br> <br> Turnage, a 25-year veteran, led the vice squad as a sheriff&#39;s lieutenant. Berry, 44, was a former investigator with 14 years in law enforcement. <br> <br> ``I am sorry for what I did,&#39;&#39; Berry told the judge. ``Sometimes, things happen pretty fast, I&#39;m not making excuses (however).&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Bowen gave Berry only six months in prison for his cooperation in the case, followed by three years of supervised release, 150 hours of community service and a $2,500 fine. <br> <br> Turnage was sentenced to 18 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Turnage will also have to perform 100 hours of community service and pay a $7,500 fine.