Ex-cop tells jury of staged arrest to rob drug dealer

Former Philadelphia police officer James Venziale testified Wednesday that he and a second former officer, Mark Williams, netted $3,000 each after they staged a fake robbery of a heroin dealer last year.

Williams, 27, was discharged from the force in July after he was arrested with Venziale, and accused of cooperating with drug dealers in a scheme to steal 300 grams of heroin during a bogus traffic stop.

Venziale testified they pretended to arrest Angel Ortiz, 25, moments after Ortiz had received a shipment of heroin from a courier.

The staged stop took place in view of a drug courier. Venziale said he and Williams pretended to arrest Ortiz so his drug supplier would think the heroin was seized by police.

"We took Mr. Ortiz around to around the corner . . . and released him," Venziale said under questioning by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Wzorek.

Later that same day Williams and Venziale met Ortiz and a federal undercover agent, posing as a money launderer, in a parking lot and received a bag stuffed with $6,000 in cash. Venziale said he split the money with Williams.

Despite being suspicious of the "money launderer," the two officers staged the robbery anyway, said Venziale.

Venziale pleaded guilty to federal charges of conspiracy and drug possession for his involvement in the robbery. He is out on bail, pending sentencing. He faces at least 70 months in prison.

Ortiz has pleaded guilty and may testify at Williams' trial in U.S. District Court.

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