A former sergeant with the Cumming Police Department was convicted Monday of taking $5,000 from a citizen he arrested, and taking a $1,000 bribe that could have exposed an undercover officer.
Nathan VanBuren, 35, of Cumming responded to a 911 call at a home in Cumming in July 2015, arresting a citizen in the process. Over the next two months, VanBuren continued to communicate with that ciitzen, asking for a loan "under the guise that his wages were being garnished and he had incrred financial debt due to his son's medical and surgical expenses," according to a news release from U.S. Attorney Byung Pak.
It turned out VanBuren's salary was not being garnished, nor was his son racking up medical bills.
That citizen, while working with law enforcement, handed over $5,000 to VanBuren following "repeated requests for money," and while meeting to hand over the money, the citizen asked VanBuren to search a police data base to try to uncover whether or not a specific person was an undercover officer.
VanBuren obliged, taking an additional $1,000.
"VanBuren broke the very laws he swore to uphold and enforce,” said Pak in a statement.
“Police officers are afforded respect, and are expected to model integrity and honesty. This former officer undermined the hard work of other officers who serve, as well as the community’s trust and respect for the police.”
A jury found VanBuren guilty of wire fraud and computer fraud.
A sentencing date has not been set.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2017/10/599158/former-cumming-police-officer-convicted-for-exposing-undercover-officer-taking-money