SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — A former San Francisco police officer who testified in a federal corruption trial has been sentenced to 12 months in prison.
Reynaldo Vargas’s testimony was instrumental in the convictions of Sgt. Ian Furminger and Officer Edmond Robles, who each received sentences of more than three years last year, U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer acknowledged at today’s sentencing.
At Thursday’s sentencing, Vargas reiterated his guilt in the corruption case, saying “If I’m going to go forward, I have to acknowledge everything I’ve done in the past and accept responsibility for that.”
Vargas said he has been taking college classes in math and science as he starts to prepare for a new career, realizing that he won’t be able to work as a police officer any longer.
Breyer acknowledged the difficulties Vargas faced in agreeing to testify against his former colleagues, but said the severity of the crime still necessitated he be punished.
Three officers, one of which was Vargas, were charged with stealing money and property from suspected drug dealers during search operations in both San Francisco and Newark in 2009.
Shortly before the trial started, Vargas pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to distribute drugs, distribution of marijuana, conspiracy to commit theft, and theft.
“This is the final chapter in a very sad story for the San Francisco Police Department,” Breyer said. “Your honest cooperation was crucial, essential to the successful prosecution of this case.”
Breyer said that with his guilty plea, he honestly felt that Vargas was trying to come to terms with his crimes rather than cooperating simply in the hopes for getting a lighter sentence.
In addition to the 12 month prison sentence, Vargas was also sentenced to three years of probation following his release.