A federal jury today convicted Robert Hankard, age 45, of Baltimore, Maryland, on multiple federal crimes for providing a BB gun that he knew would be planted on a suspect.
According to the trial evidence, Hankard, a member of the Baltimore Police Department since 2007 and a detective since 2014, received a call from his partner asking for a BB gun or air soft gun to be planted on a suspect. Hankard advised that he did have a BB gun and provided it to his partner, who subsequently planted it at the scene of the arrest of D.S.
Hankard was convicted of conspiracy to deprive civil rights, providing a false statement to a federal grand jury, falsifying an application for a search warrant and an arrest report, and falsifying a police report related to the search of an apartment.
The conviction was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron and Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office.
‘Today’s conviction further demonstrates this office’s continuing commitment to protect the civil rights of all Marylanders, including from egregious instances of police misconduct,’ said United States Attorney Erek L. Barron.
‘The actions of Mr. Hankard were not only harmful to the individuals he swore under oath to protect, but they also undermined public trust and confidence in law enforcement,’ said FBI Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski.
Hankard’s conviction is a result of a federal investigation led by the FBI, with assistance from the Baltimore Police Department and other law enforcement agencies. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Leo J. Wise and Christopher M. Rigali.
The trial evidence showed that Hankard and other officers arrested I.R. in the 5100 block of Falls Road in Baltimore City on March 2, 2015. Hankard and other officers took I.R.’s keys and went to Apartment A at 15 Cross Keys Road, which I.R. had been seen leaving earlier that day. Hankard used one of the keys to open the door to Apartment A and Hankard and other officers entered the apartment, which was not occupied at that time. Once inside, Hankard searched a bag that he found inside a closet, which contained gel caps of heroin, two digital scales, and other drug-related items.
Hankard has been a member of the Baltimore Police Department since 2007 and was promoted to detective on March 20, 2014. In 2014 and 2015, Hankard served on a Special Enforcement Section (SES) unit assigned to the BPD’s Western District.
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Key Facts
- State: Maryland
- Category: Public Corruption|Police Misconduct
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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