3 things to know about the BJ Sanford case : Bossier City cop arrested by FBI
Here's what you need to know about the Bossier City Police Officer that was arrested by the FBI after a raid at the Bossier City Police headquarters.
Timeline
On Sunday, Aug. 28, Sergeant Harold "BJ" Sanford, 52, was arrested by federal agents in response to an ongoing federal investigation into the Bossier City police union.
According to the FBI, the investigation was related to Sanford's role as president of the local police union.
A search warrant was executed at the Bossier City Police headquarters Sunday for records related to the Bossier City Police Local 645 International Union of Police Association.
On Monday, Aug. 29, Sanford was arraigned alongside his co-defendant Mitch Morehead. During his arraignment the U.S. Attorney Alex VanHook asked the court for a pre-trial detention on both defendants.
On Thursday, Sept. 1, a pre-trial detention hearing was heard and Hornsby made the decision to detain Sanford and Morehead at CCC until their next hearing on Sept. 14.
More: Bossier City Police Headquarters searched by FBI, officer arrested
Detention hearing: FBI's testimony
Federal Bureau of Investigation agent Raquel Mobley gave her testimony on Sept. 1. During her testimony she explained the believed relationship between Sanford and Morehead through phone calls via wiretap.
It was disclosed through phone calls that Sanford was buying fraudulently obtained prescription painkillers from Morehead.
The investigation into the actions of Morehead and Sanford began in Jan. after the FBI received tips about money embezzlement within the police union. Sanford served as President of the Bossier City police union and Morehead was hired by Sanford to gather funds through solicitation for the union.
Mobley indicated that Sanford was buying these drugs for his wife and in a phone conversation with Morehead, Sanford said, "she can take them early, but she can't take them late."
Read: Drugs, embezzlement and more revealed during hearing of Bossier City police officer
Detention hearing: Judges ruling
Hornsby ruled that Sanford would remain in detention until Sept. 14, for his next hearing. Sanford's use of authority and obstruction of justice were two key components in Hornsby's decision.
Hornsby said, "he did all of this while he was an active police officer."
What is next for Sanford and Morehead?
They will return to federal court on Sept. 14, for their next hearing. Until then they will remain at CCC. Bossier City Police placed Sanford on administrative leave immediately after his arrest on Sunday.
Morehead who is not from the Shreveport-Bossier area and has been living in the Crown Inn in Bossier City will be detained following Hornsby decision of him being a flight risk.
Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: 3 things to know about Bossier City Police Officer's case
