Two MPD Officers Indicted on Federal Charges, Accused of Taking Money to Protect Liquor Store

Third Officer Earlier Pled Guilty in the Case

WASHINGTON—Two officers with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) were indicted by a federal grand jury today on charges stemming from payments they received for providing unauthorized protection to a liquor store in Northwest Washington.

The indictments were announced by U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr., James W. McJunkin, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Washington Field Office, and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department.

Malcolm Rhinehart, 50, and Abraham Evans, 31, were indicted in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on charges of receipt of illegal gratuities and illegal supplementation of salary. Under federal sentencing guidelines, the charges carry prison terms ranging from 24 to 30 months. The indictment also includes a forfeiture count calling for the defendants to turn over at least $10,000, representing the amount of money that they illegally received.

A third former MPD officer, Nathaniel Anderson, 41, pled guilty in November 2010 to a charge of illegal supplementation of salary. He is awaiting sentencing.

Rhinehart, Evans, Anderson and a fourth, unnamed officer were assigned to the Second Police District. Rhinehart joined the department in 2003, Evans in 2002, and Anderson in 1997.

According to the indictment, the illegal activities began soon after an armed robbery of the liquor store. On November 25, 2006, two armed men robbed Calvert Woodley Wine & Spirits, in the 4300 block of

Connecticut Avenue NW

, shortly after the place was closing for the night. In or around December 2006, Rhinehart, Evans and Anderson agreed to accept about $25 in cash at closing time from the store as compensation for providing protection. The fourth officer agreed to provide protection in return for $25 a night when the others were unavailable, but he did so only when off-duty and out of uniform, the indictment states.

Rhinehart, Evans and Anderson provided protection while on duty and in uniform, the indictment alleges. Rhinehart is accused of accepting money from December 2006 until November 2008. Evans is accused of accepting money from December 2006 until April 2009, and Anderson from December 2006 until in or around May 2009.

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

In announcing the indictments, U.S. Attorney Machen, Assistant Director McJunkin and Chief Lanier praised the investigative efforts of Special Agents from the FBI's Washington Field Office and MPD's Internal Affairs Division. They also recognized the efforts of U.S. Attorney's Office Paralegal Specialist Tasha Harris and Legal Assistant Jared Forney. Finally, they commended the efforts of Assistant United States Attorneys Vasu B. Muthyala and Michael K. Atkinson, who prosecuted the case.