26-02-2025
Former Maryland State Trooper pleads guilty to drug, bribery charges
The video in the player above aired in January 2023 after Riggs's indictment.
BALTIMORE, Md. () — A former Maryland State Police (MSP) trooper pleaded guilty Monday to selling inside information about operations aimed at stopping drug trafficking.
Cpl. Justin Riggs, 35, was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute, Travel-Act State of Maryland Bribery and other related offenses.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office (USAO), Riggs was part of a team in 2022 that investigated drug and gun trafficking in Western Maryland. At the time, they used at least one confidential human source during the investigation.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Maryland state trooper based in Hagerstown accused of trying to sell inside information about drug operations
The USAO said Riggs created a fake Facebook account to contact a drug distributor and said he had information about their biggest informant.
'As a law enforcement officer, Justin Riggs violated his sworn duty to uphold the public trust and put a life in harm's way,' stated Acting United States Attorney Selden, in part.
Between 2022 and 2023, he tried to sell the distributor the confidential informant's identity.
According to court documents, on Dec. 19, 2022, for example, Riggs sent the following messages to the distributor:
'I have tons more info pertaining to your biggest informant whose doing you dirty, the status of your case and what you should do, and alot more. But that info will require payment because I know how serious it is.'
'Theres a big case man. I'm not reaching out because I care what you're in to or not in to, you don't have to play innocent to me. IDC about that. I'm just trying to get paid … Im here trying to work with you. I have you some free info to prove my worth.'
As part of his guilty plea, Riggs faces between 48 and 108 months in federal prison. His sentencing has not yet been scheduled.
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