St. Louis (KSDK) - Former Bridgeton police officer Scott Haenel was sentenced today to 24 months in prison for taking a $5,000 bribe and obstructing a federal law enforcement investigation.
Court documents state a person cooperating with the FBI met with Haenel several times between November 2010 and January 2011. Haenel agreed to help in a money laundering scheme that involved drug trafficking money, and was paid $5,000 for his help. The money was provided by the FBI as part of the investigation.
Haenel also agreed to use his position as an officer to conceal illegal activity.
On January 21, 2011 Haenel learned that DEA agents and St. Charles police officers were investigating his partner in crime. Haenel tipped him off that police were going to search his residence, and told him to get all of the money out of his home before officers arrived.
Haenel pled guilty in April to one felony count of accepting a bribe, and one felony count of obstruction of justice.
KSDK