Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., today announced the indictment of NYSIA STROUD, 29, a New York City police officer assigned to the NYPD’s Fleet Services Division, for transporting marijuana and more than one kilogram of cocaine in exchange for money. The defendant is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree and Official Misconduct.[1]
“Brazen criminal conduct by a member of law enforcement constitutes a grievous breach of duty and public trust,” said District Attorney Vance. “Having sworn an oath to protect and serve their communities, police officers are held to an elevated standard of professional conduct. Any departure from that standard is not only unacceptable, but may be criminal. As alleged in this case, the defendant is charged with participating in narcotics trafficking and carrying out the very bad acts she was entrusted to stop, undermining important public safety efforts to keeps our streets safe, clean, and free of harmful, illegal drugs.”
According to the indictment and documents filed in court, between April and June 2017, the defendant earned money for illicitly transporting narcotics and marijuana for an undercover police officer posing as a drug courier. Shortly after meeting the undercover officer in March 2017, STROUD began transporting large quantities of cocaine and marijuana in exchange for payments ranging from $250 to $1,000. During this time, the defendant disclosed her own status as a police officer and told the undercover officer that she would display her NYPD badge to avoid further investigation and potential arrest if they were stopped by other members of law enforcement. To conceal their activities, STROUD also devised a code, “shopping at Woodbury,” to use for any communications regarding future drug deliveries. In total, the defendant received more than $2,000 for transporting marijuana and more than one kilogram of cocaine on four separate occasions.
The investigation began after NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau (“IAB”) received allegations that the defendant was involved in narcotics-related activity.
Assistant District Attorney Robert Cannata is handling the prosecution of the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Julio Cuevas, Jr., Deputy Chief of the Public Corruption Unit, Assistant District Attorney Luke Rettler, Chief of the Public Corruption Unit, and Executive Assistant District Attorney Michael Sachs, Chief of the Investigation Division. Senior Rackets Investigator Edward Johnson provided additional assistance with the investigation, under the supervision of Supervising Rackets Investigator Alexander Farrugia and Chief Investigator Walter Alexander. Investigative Analyst Jennifer Katz also assisted with the investigation.
District Attorney Vance thanked the NYPD Internal Affairs Bureau for their role in the investigation.
[1] The charges contained in the indictments are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.
