St. Petersburg Police Department Detective Indicted

TAMPA, FL—United States Attorney Robert E. O’Neill announces the return of a seven-count indictment by a grand jury charging Anthony V. Foster (39, St. Petersburg) with public corruption charges. Counts one through six charge Foster with a wire fraud scheme to deprive the public of honest services. Count seven charges Foster with attempted extortion under color of official right. If convicted, Foster faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison, per count. The indictment also notifies Foster that the United States intends to forfeit $7,400 and a Samsung Television, which are alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offense.

Foster was first arrested pursuant to a federal complaint on June 8, 2011. According to the charging documents, Foster, who worked as a detective for the St. Petersburg Police Department (SPPD), told one of his sources that he would contact state authorities involved in the source’s state criminal cases to provide positive information about the source in exchange for Foster’s personal receipt of cash and property payments. Sometime thereafter, Foster and the source met so that Foster could secure cash and property payments from the source. According to the indictment, Foster sent and received text messages to coordinate the meetings with the source.

The indictment also alleges that Foster contacted state authorities involved with the source’s state criminal cases, identified himself as a detective with the SPPD, and provided positive information about the source’s involvement in various SPPD investigations. The indictment further alleges that Foster caused other SPPD officials to also contact state authorities on behalf of the source.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jay G. Trezevant.