Officer
  • Honoring The Fallen
  • Publications
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • Forums
  • Contact Us
  • Vehicles & Fleet
  • Tactical
  • Training & Careers
  • On The Street
  • Investigations
  • Command/HQ
  • Technology
  • Virtual Academy
  • Stations
  • Podcasts
  • Product Guide
  • Topics
    Vehicles & FleetTacticalTraining & CareersOn The StreetInvestigationsCommand/HQTechnologyProduct Guide
    Resources
    ForumsProduct GuideHonoring The FallenBy ContributorsExpert InsightsPublicationsWhitepapersWebinarsOriginal ContentJobs
    User Tools
    SubscribeAdvertiseContact UsPrivacy PolicyTerms & Conditions
    https://www.facebook.com/officercom
    https://www.linkedin.com/company/officer-com
    https://twitter.com/officercom
    1. Investigations

    Houston Officer Allegedly Escorted Drug Runners

    July 28, 2011
    A 19-year veteran Houston police officer has been arrested on charges of aiding drug runners in his patrol car.

     HOUSTON --

    A 19-year veteran Houston police officer has been arrested on charges of aiding drug runners in his patrol car, Local 2 Investigates reported Wednesday.

    Sgt. Leslie Aikens, 46, fidgeted with his fingers clenched behind his back as he faced a federal magistrate judge two hours after his arrest.

    A federal indictment accuses him of two felony crimes -- possessing cocaine and using his color of authority for corruption.

    He was arrested by FBI agents and HPD Internal Affairs as he got off duty Wednesday morning at the Central HPD Jail on Riesner.

    "They asked me at the time where my gun belt was," Aikens told the judge of his arrest. He said HPD Internal Affairs officers confiscated his weapon as he was arrested in his uniform.

    When asked if he understood the charges against him and that he would have to surrender all weapons, he answered, "Yes, ma'am, I do."

    Federal prosecutors told Local 2 Investigates at the courthouse that an undercover sting was arranged in which Aikens was paid $2,000 in exchange for providing protection to drug runners.

    Those drug runners, who were carrying 7 kilos of cocaine, were actually undercover agents. Surveillance showed Aikens providing an escort in his marked HPD patrol car one month ago, they said.

    A sealed indictment was returned and he was arrested on the felony counts Wednesday morning.

    In court, Aikens told the judge he lives in an apartment on Antoine in northwest Houston with free rent in exchange for providing security.

    He told the judge he will now lose that apartment and he expects to lose his HPD job because of his arrest.

    The judge ordered him to live with his sister pending his trial on the charges.

    He was being released from custody on a $50,000 bond, which is unsecured. The judge told him that means he doesn't have to pay any of the bond himself now, but would owe the $50,000 to the government if he misses any future court appearances.

    He is scheduled to appear again for his initial appearance next week, when a plea of not guilty will be entered.

    When asked if he wanted to remain silent about the charges against him, Aikens answered, "At this time, yes ma'am."

    The judge gave him 10 days to find another job.

    He said his personal car keys were taken from him when he was arrested, so the judge ordered him to make sure there were no other guns in his car or his apartment.

    Magistrate Mary Milloy said, "Get your keys and get that weapon secure. If you have a weapon, I will revoke your bond."

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim McAlister told the judge there are other suspects being arrested as part of the drug-running enterprise, but he did not say whether any other police officers are suspected of taking part in the ring.

    Copyright 2011 by Click2Houston.com. All rights reserved.

    Continue Reading

    Video: Fiery High-Speed Texas Chase Ends with Driver, Dog Fleeing on Foot

    Woman Convicted in Drunk Driving Hit-and-Run that Killed NYPD Detective

    Sponsored Recommendations

    Whitepaper: A New Paradigm in Digital Investigations

    July 28, 2023
    Modernize your agency’s approach to get ahead of the digital evidence challenge

    A New Paradigm in Digital Investigations

    June 6, 2023
    Modernize your agency’s approach to get ahead of the digital evidence challenge.

    Listen to Real-Time Emergency 911 Calls in the Field

    Feb. 8, 2023
    Discover advanced technology that allows officers in the field to listen to emergency calls from their vehicles in real time and immediately identify the precise location of the...

    2022 Transparency and Trust Report - Public Safety & Community Relationships

    Nov. 16, 2022
    Veritone releases its 2022 Law Enforcement Transparency and Trust Report delivering Five Key Findings of Community Sentiment on Policing

    Voice your opinion!

    To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Officer, create an account today!

    I already have an account

    Latest in Investigations

    Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post/TNS
    Investigations

    Six Additional Colorado Officers Charged in Fatal Shooting

    Nov. 20, 2023
    Taylor Six | Lexington Herald-Leader | TNS
    Investigations

    Mistrial Declared for Ex-Ky. Police Officer in Breonna Taylor Shooting

    Nov. 17, 2023
    Alexandru Cuznetov | Dreamstime.com
    Investigations

    N.J. Police Stakeout Nabs Thief Stealing $3K Worth of Steaks

    Nov. 16, 2023

    Most Read

    Watch Ark. Police Rescue 5-Year-Old Girl Sealed into Closet

    Man with Rifle Shot after Following Calif. Police Officer Near Station

    History of the TASER: How It Became an Essential Police Tool

    Sponsored

    Listen to Real-Time Emergency 911 Calls in the Field

    Officer
    https://www.facebook.com/officercom
    https://www.linkedin.com/company/officer-com
    https://twitter.com/officercom
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Do Not Sell or Share
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    © 2023 Endeavor Business Media, LLC. All rights reserved.
    Endeavor Business Media Logo