Baltimore Police Officer Pleads Guilty in Towing Scandal

A 28-year-old former Baltimore Police officer pleaded guilty in federal court on Tuesday for his role in a kickback scheme involving more than a dozen officers and a Rosedale towing company, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland.

 Jermaine Rice, age 28, of Woodstock, pleaded guilty  to extortion under color of official right after steering cars involved in accidents to Majestic Auto Repair Shop LLC.  The repair shop owner paid Rice for arranging to have Majestic tow the vehicles and make repairs, stated a press release issued by the federal prosecutor. 

The Baltimore City Police Department requires that when police request vehicle towing services, they use only towing companies under contract with the city and  Majestic is not one of those authorized companies.

Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 23.  The ex-officer -- who pocketed about $1,500 in the scheme, according to prosecutors -- faces a maximum  of 20 years in prison, plus a possible fine.

In Rice’s plea agreement he admits that in July 2010, he was introduced to the owner of Majestic and "told that he could make extra money by referring vehicles to the repair shop," the press release stated.

Rice was told by Majestic's owner to tell accident victims that the repair shop would pay for the insurance deductible costs so that they would be further persuaded to use Majestic.

Rice cooperated with Majestic between July 2010 and February 2011, informing the shop about accident vehicles and the damage sustained. Majestic employees would come to the accident scene and arrange for the vehicle to be taken to the repair shop.

The press release cited an example of this practice that occurred on Dec. 14, 2010.

"Rice called (Majestic's) owner to report an accident, including the make and model of the car and the damage to the vehicle," the press release stated. 

"The repair shop owner drove to the scene and met with the car’s owner. The next day, the owner drove the car to (Majestic) and a few days later, the owner paid Rice $300 in cash."