WASHINGTON – Jessie Alan Fuller, 25, of Pensacola, Fla., was sentenced Aug. 29 to 37 months in prison and two years of supervised release.

Fuller pleaded guilty on April 26, 2012, to one count of conspiracy against rights, a felony, and one count of deprivation of rights under color of law, a misdemeanor. The charges stemmed from Fuller’s stealing money and property from motorists on Interstate 65 while he was a police officer with the Fort Deposit Police Department.

During his plea, Fuller admitted that he and Carlos Tyson Bennett, 36, of Greenville, who was also a Fort Deposit police officer, agreed to pull over vehicles under the guise of legitimate law enforcement activity and to steal cash from drivers and passengers.

Fuller further admitted that between May and June 2009, he and Bennett committed numerous thefts together, including thefts of $200 each from two separate victims and $120 from a third victim. In each incident, the two officers used a marked patrol car, wore police clothing and carried a firearm. Fuller also admitted to stealing a GPS device from a driver whom he pulled over and arrested on March 14, 2009.

“It is terrible to see those sworn to uphold the law, break the law and prey on the public,” stated George L. Beck, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama. “While it is always difficult to prosecute a member of our law enforcement community, my office is dedicated to protecting the community and seeking justice for all.”

On June 12, 2012, an eight-count indictment was unsealed charging Bennett with one count of conspiracy against rights, four counts of deprivation of rights under color of law and three counts of obstruction of justice. Trial is scheduled to begin in Bennett’s case on Sept. 10.

This case is being investigated by the Alabama Bureau of Investigation, the Butler County Sheriff’s Office and the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office.