NYPD Officer to Plead Guilty to Gun Running

Now that Mayor Bloomberg of N.Y.C. is "reloading" his anti-gum campaign (gee, as one of the 1% do you think he might be frightened?) we get this news: "NYPD Officer to Plead Guilty to Gun Running". I guess the financial rewards of dealing in what should NOT be "illegal" weapons are just too high.

The old saw, "When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns" seems to be truer than ever.

If you support the U.S. Constitution -- support ALL of it.

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NYPD Officer to Plead Guilty to Gun Running

By Jonathan Dienst and Shimon Prokupecz

A veteran NYPD officer is set to plead guilty Monday to charges he helped run a gun-smuggling operation with fellow police officers that trafficked more than $1 million in illegal weapons and stolen goods.

William Masso, of the 68th police precinct in Brooklyn, was arrested in October on charges of conspiring to sell M-16 rifles and guns in exchange for cash payments.

Twelve people were charged in the ring, including eight current and former NYPD officers. The FBI said the ring also sought to transport stolen goods like slot machines in exchange for payments.

Sources familiar with the case said Masso is expected to plead guilty to all the counts against him. Under the plea deal, prosecutors and defense lawyers will recommend to Judge John Koeltl in U.S. District court in lower Manhattan that he get up to six years in prison.

The cases of the others arrested are still pending.

“An officer who betrays his badge betrays every honorable officer as well as every member of the public,” U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said at the time of Masso’s arrest.

The FBI said Masso was caught on tape offering to transport stolen cigarettes and what he thought were stolen slot machines from Atlantic City.

Masso said he and his fellow officers should carry their badges and claim to be working off-duty for a client who purchased the goods at auction, prosecutors said.

Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said Masso’s actions were “a betrayal of the highest order of an officer’s oath.”

A spokesman for Bharara declined to comment. Masso’s attorney Ron Fischetti also declined comment on the expected plea.