ST. LOUIS, MO—A former Bridgeton police officer pled guilty today to charges of taking a $5,000 bribe and obstructing a federal law enforcement investigation.
Scott William Haenel, 38, O'Fallon, Missouri, also assigned to the North County Municipal Enforcement Group, pled guilty to one felony count of accepting a bribe and one felony count of obstruction of justice this morning before United States District Judge Rodney W. Sippel. According to court documents, a person cooperating with the FBI, identified as R.O., met with officer Haenel on several occasions between November 2010 and January 2011. At one of these meetings, R.O. paid Haenel $5,000 in cash (which had been provided by the FBI as part of the investigation) in exchange for Haenel agreeing to assist R.O. in a money laundering scheme involving drug trafficking money. Haenel also agreed to assist R.O. by using his position as a police officer to help conceal the illegal activity. On January 21, 2011, when Haenel learned that DEA agents and St. Charles police officers were investigating R.O. for money laundering and were going to go to R.O.'s residence to attempt a search, Haenel tipped off R.O. about the search and advised him to get all of the money out of the residence before officers arrived.
"Scott Haenel betrayed the public's trust, but his actions by no means reflect the integrity of his colleagues," said Special Agent in Charge Dennis L. Baker of the FBI St. Louis Division. "We appreciate the Bridgeton Police Department's full cooperation in rooting out such corruption."
Sentencing has been set for Friday, July 8, 2011. Bribery carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000; obstruction of justice carries a maximum of 20 years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000. In determining the actual sentences, a Judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.
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