Philly Cop Lied To FBI About Pocketing Cash Evidence: Feds

PHILADELPHIA — A Philadelphia Police officer has been federally charged after authorities said he made false statements to the FBI about taking drugs trafficking proceeds during a search warrant execution.

Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams Wednesday said Michael Kennedy, 49, of Philadelphia, was charged by Indictment with six counts of making materially false statements to the FBI, one count of obstruction of justice, and one count of conspiracy to make a false statement.

According to the Indictment, Kennedy was involved in the execution of a search warrant while on duty as a police officer.

During the search, Kennedy is alleged to have pocketed evidence, that is, cash proceeds of drug trafficking that was on a nightstand.

Subsequently, the FBI investigated reports that Kennedy stole this cash.

The Indictment alleges that Kennedy, when interviewed by FBI agents and Philadelphia Police Department Task Force Officers, made a number of false statements about the incident.

Additionally, the Indictment alleges Kennedy obstructed justice by corruptly persuading another Philadelphia Police Department officer, and conspiring with that officer, to lie to the FBI about the incident in order to create an alibi and corroborate Kennedy’s false statements.

If convicted, Kennedy faces a maximum possible sentence of 55 years’ imprisonment, including a federal Guidelines Range of a period of incarceration.