DETROIT (WWJ) -- A former Detroit police officer has been sentenced to more than six years in prison for extortion.
49-year-old Deonne Dotson was convicted after an 8-day jury trial in November 2019, but sentencing was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prosecutors say Dotson referred stolen and abandoned vehicles to certain collision shops in exchange for cash payments.
The evidence also showed that Dotson created false police reports to cover up his scheme.
Vehicle owners were unaware that Dotson was being paid by the collision shops when they agreed to have their cars fixed.
“Dotson’s conviction and 80 months’ sentence shows that no one is above the law, and when police officers commit crimes and violate their oath to protect and serve the public, they will be held accountable," said Saima Mohsin, Acting United States Attorney.
Five other officers -- Charles Wills, James Robertson, Jamil Martin, Martin Tutt, and Anthony Careathers -- pleaded guilty and served time in prison for committing similar crimes.
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