The federal sentencing Wednesday of two former Rohnert Park police officers involved in a scheme to steal and resell marijuana marked the end of a yearslong legal battle, but it closes only part of a scandal that exposed broader failures in Northern California law enforcement during the final years of marijuana prohibition.
KQED first reported in 2018 on allegations from drivers who said Rohnert Park officers had stolen marijuana from them during traffic stops well outside city limits. In 2020, the city paid out more than $1.8 million to settle lawsuits filed by the victims of these officers.
Read more Oakland Police Shoot Driver Who Tried to Flee Stop, Striking Officers, OPD Says
In 2021, a federal grand jury indicted the two officers. Tatum pleaded guilty shortly thereafter and agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors. Huffaker fought the charges, but was found guilty by a jury last summer.
Read more San José Parents Convicted of Murder in Baby’s Fentanyl Overdose
Read more He Was Fired for Sexually Harassing Students. California Allowed Him to Keep Teaching Anyway