Rafael Dobard, Conspiracy to Commit Theft and Wire Fraud, Louisiana 2014

GRIMY TIMES EXCLUSIVE: In a shocking case of corruption within the New Orleans Police Department, two former narcotics detectives have been sentenced to 18 months in prison for their roles in a conspiracy to commit theft and wire fraud.

The defendants, Rafael Dobard, 39, and Quincy Jones, 33, both former NOPD narcotics detectives, pleaded guilty on February 14, 2014, to conspiracy to commit theft from programs receiving federal funds and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

According to court documents, the defendants admitted to conspiring to enrich themselves and others by obtaining NOPD confidential informant funds by fraud and by corruptly making payments to other officers in their unit.

The pair also admitted to conspiring to commit wire fraud by submitting NOPD timesheets that indicated they were working on duty for the NOPD when, in fact, they were working at non-NOPD detail jobs.

As a result of their crimes, Dobard and Jones were each ordered to pay restitution to the City of New Orleans in the amount of $18,484.44 and $19,064.25, respectively.

The case was investigated jointly by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the NOPD Public Integrity Bureau, with the U.S. Attorney's Office, led by Kenneth Allen Polite, Jr., prosecuting the case.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to ensuring that no one is above the law,” stated U.S. Attorney Polite. “These officers, both of whom swore to uphold and enforce our laws, instead broke the law by stealing public funds.”

The sentencing of Dobard and Jones serves as a stark reminder of the importance of holding those in positions of power accountable for their actions.

Defendant details:

Name: Rafael Dobard

Age: 39

Criminal charges: Conspiracy to commit theft from programs receiving federal funds and conspiracy to commit wire fraud

City and state: New Orleans, Louisiana

Exact date: February 14, 2014

Sentence or outcome: 18 months incarceration to be followed by three years of supervised release

Dollar amounts: Dobard ordered to pay restitution to the City of New Orleans in the amount of $18,484.44; Jones ordered to pay restitution to the City of New Orleans in the amount of $19,064.25

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edla/pr/former-new-orleans-police-officers-sentenced-conspiracy-commit-theft-and-wire-fraud