Ex-Philly officer gets 8 years for drug dealer shakedowns
An ex-Philadelphia police officer has been sentenced to 8 years in prison in connection with a scheme to extort drugs and money from drug dealers and buyers.
A federal judge Wednesday said 38-year-old Christopher Saravello must serve three years of supervised release after his release and pay a $600 fine.
Saravello pleaded guilty in February to extortion and conspiracy charges.
Prosecutors say Saravello would get tipped off to drug transactions and swoop in as if making an arrest.
He’d often drive up in a marked police car, wearing a uniform and displaying a badge or verbally identifying himself as an officer.
Prosecutors say Saravello once pulled a gun and threatened to shoot if a victim didn’t comply.
The scheme tallied more than $9,800 and quantities of Oxycontin and other drugs.
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