Miami cop Schonton Harris, 53, pleaded guilty to participating in a drug trafficking conspiracy in January.
She was sentenced today.
“The sentence announced today is a victory for all law enforcement officers who protect and serve our community with pride, honor and dignity,” said U.S. Attorney Ariana Fajardo Orshan.
According to a criminal affidavit used for her arrest, Schonton Harris, who has worked for the department for over 20 years agreed to take cash as a payment in exchange for protecting criminals trafficking drugs and laundering money.
Harris also recruited Kelvin Harris and James Archibald to participate in the scheme.
They were also charged in connection with the crimes, according to the arrest affidavit.
Prosecutors said Harris drove to a marina in Miama and picked up two coolers she thought was filled with 15 kilos of cocaine.
According to the FBI, Schonton Harris received a payment totaling about $17,000 after dropping the coolers off at the hotel; while Kelvin Harris was paid about $10,000, and Archibald earned about $6,500, according to local10.com.
The three officers became the subject of an investigation by federal agents after Miami Police Chief Jorge Colina received a complaint from a citizen.
According to agents, the people officers thought were drug dealers were actually undercover agents or cooperating witnesses.
Archibald and Harris are scheduled for trial later this year.
