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Ex-Cop Huffaker Nabbed in Marijuana Shakedown Scheme
SAN FRANCISCO – Joseph Huffaker, 40, of Rohnert Park, traded his badge for a federal conviction today. A jury found the former Rohnert Park police officer guilty on six counts, including conspiracy to commit extortion, impersonating an ATF agent, and falsifying records – all stemming from a brazen scheme to steal marijuana from drivers. The week-long trial, presided over by Senior U.S. District Judge Maxine M. Chesney, laid bare a pattern of abuse of power that shook the foundations of local law enforcement.
The evidence revealed that between 2012 and 2019, while employed by the City of Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety (RPDPS), Huffaker partnered with fellow officer Brendan Jacy Tatum to target drivers suspected of carrying large amounts of marijuana. Instead of lawful seizure, the pair allegedly engaged in outright extortion, falsely claiming to be agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). They threatened arrests to strongarm drivers into surrendering their weed. The jury determined that Huffaker and Tatum weren’t working within the bounds of the law, they *were* the lawbreakers.
“No traffic stop should turn into a shakedown,” stated United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian. “Misconduct by police officers undermines public safety and jeopardizes public cooperation with law enforcement. Huffaker’s actions threw a shadow of suspicion over multiple law enforcement agencies which, thankfully, were quick to investigate and discover his scheme.” The scheme wasn’t a one-off incident; the jury specifically found Huffaker conspired with Tatum to cover their tracks, crafting a false police report and sending it to the FBI two months after the initial extortions.
Court documents detail that the RPDPS previously operated a Highway 101 interdiction team (2014-2017) focused on drug seizures. However, the crimes committed by Huffaker and Tatum occurred *after* the team was disbanded, in December 2017. The pair operated outside the law, off-duty, and without the benefit of uniforms or body-worn cameras. One particularly damning incident involved a December 18th traffic stop where Huffaker and Tatum allegedly seized 23 pounds of marijuana, again posing as ATF agents. The brazenness of the operation is staggering.
The scheme began to unravel in February 2018 when the FBI received a complaint from a citizen claiming they’d been shaken down on the highway. When an FBI agent requested the police report related to the incident, Tatum and Huffaker allegedly doubled down on their deceit, falsifying an Incident/Investigation Report and submitting it to the investigating agent. The attempt at obstruction of justice proved futile. “Today’s verdict affirms that no one is above the law,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani. “Joseph Huffaker betrayed the sworn oath he took as a police officer and used his position to extort money and marijuana from drivers under the guise of legitimate law enforcement.”
Huffaker is currently released on bond, but his freedom won’t last long. His sentencing is scheduled for October 15, 2025, before Judge Chesney. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine for each count of conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right. This case serves as a stark reminder that those sworn to protect and serve are not exempt from the law, and that corruption within law enforcement will be met with swift and decisive justice.
Key Facts
- State: California
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Public Corruption|Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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