Former NYPD Detective Pleads Guilty To Obstructing Narcotics Investigation
Former NYPD Detective Saed Rabah pled guilty to obstructing a federal narcotics investigation by providing a deactivated phone number instead of the target’s active one, while also sharing in the target’s illegal sports betting profits, warning him of police surveillance, and traveling with him to Las Vegas, facing up to 20 years in prison with sentencing set for March 18, 2019.
Former NYPD Detective Saed Rabah pled guilty to obstruction of justice for intentionally giving law enforcement a deactivated phone number to hinder a narcotics investigation targeting his cooperator handler, who was actively trafficking drugs. Rabah further corrupted his duty by sharing proceeds from the target’s illegal sports betting operation, warning him of surveillance, and traveling with him to Las Vegas in July 2016. The single count of obstruction carries a maximum 20-year prison sentence, and Rabah, 46, of Brooklyn, is scheduled to be sentenced on March 18, 2019, after prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York with DEA and multi-agency support.
Former NYPD Detective Saed Rabah pled guilty to obstructing a federal narcotics investigation by knowingly providing law enforcement with a deactivated phone number instead of the target’s active one, which he used regularly to communicate with the drug trafficker he was supposed to be monitoring. As the target’s official handler, Rabah violated his oath by not only concealing the target’s true contact information but also actively aiding his criminal enterprise, including sharing in proceeds from an illegal sports betting operation and warning him when one of his employees made suspicious drug deliveries. Rabah further deepened his corruption by traveling with the target to Las Vegas in July 2016, demonstrating a personal and financial entanglement beyond mere negligence. The obstruction charge, filed under 18 U.S.C. § 1505, carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and Rabah, 46, of Brooklyn, is scheduled for sentencing on March 18, 2019. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York’s White Plains Division, with investigative contributions from the DEA, Yonkers Police, Orangetown PD, and multiple other local agencies. Rabah’s actions undermined a federal investigation involving a cooperating witness who was supposed to have ceased all criminal activity. His conduct exemplifies a profound breach of public trust, as he used his position to protect, rather than apprehend, a known narcotics trafficker.
Extracted insights
- person Geoffrey S. Berman
- person obstructing narcotics investigation
- person Raymond Donovan
- person saed rabah
- person target about drug delivery
- Saed Rabah pled guilty to obstructing narcotics investigation
- Saed Rabah pled guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy
- Saed Rabah assigned to U.S. District Judge Vincent L. Briccetti
- Saed Rabah charged with one count of obstruction of justice
- Saed Rabah scheduled to be sentenced March 18, 2019
- Saed Rabah provided provided misinformation to
- Saed Rabah shared in target's proceeds from illegal sports betting
- Saed Rabah warned target about drug delivery
- Geoffrey S. Berman announced Saed Rabah's guilty plea
- Raymond Donovan announced Saed Rabah's guilty plea
Press Release Former NYPD Detective Pleads Guilty To Obstructing Narcotics Investigation Friday, December 14, 2018 Share FacebookLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. XLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. LinkedInLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. Email For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York Geoffrey S. Berman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Raymond Donovan, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), announced that former New York City Police Department (“NYPD”) Detective SAED RABAH pled guilty to knowingly providing misinformation to a federal law enforcement officer in order to obstruct a narcotics investigation. RABAH pled guilty before the U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy. RABAH’s case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Vincent L. Briccetti. Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “As an NYPD detective, Saed Rabah swore to uphold the law – not to break it and help a known criminal continue trafficking drugs. Now this corrupt former officer faces serious prison time for his crimes.” According to the Information filed today, to which RABAH pled guilty, and a previously filed criminal complaint: The target of a narcotics investigation was a cooperator in another court proceeding, and RABAH was his handler. Despite his obligation as a cooperator to engage in no further criminal conduct, the target continued to operate a sophisticated narcotics distribution business. In May 2016, RABAH was contacted by law enforcement and informed that the target was under investigation for narcotics related offenses. In September 2016, RABAH was again contacted by law enforcement, this time about whether RABAH had a phone number for the target. RABAH waited to respond and, when he did, intentionally provided a phone number for the target that RABAH knew the target was no longer using, rather than providing the target’s active phone number through which RABAH and the target were regularly communicating at that time. As alleged in the complaint, RABAH’s obstruction of the investigation was only one component of his corrupt relationship with the target. For example, RABAH shared in the target’s proceeds from operating an illegal sports betting business by bringing in betters. In addition, RABAH and the target traveled to Las Vegas together in July 2016. Moreover, RABAH warned the target when RABAH observed one of the target’s employees make a drug delivery in a manner that RABAH believed could have drawn the attention of law enforcement. * * * RABAH, 46, of Brooklyn, New York, is charged with one count of obstruction of justice, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. RABAH is scheduled to be sentenced March 18, 2019. Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA’s Westchester Tactical Diversion Squad comprising agents and officers of the DEA, Yonkers Police Department, Orangetown Police Department, New York City Police Department, Westchester Police Department, Putnam Sheriff’s Office, Rockland County Sheriff’s Office, New Windsor Police Department, and the Woodbury Police Department. He also thanked the Special Agents of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for their assistance This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant United States Attorney Celia V. Cohen is in charge of the prosecution. Updated December 14, 2018 Topic Public Corruption Component USAO - New York, Southern Press Release Number: 18-442
Press Release Former NYPD Detective Pleads Guilty To Obstructing Narcotics Investigation Friday, December 14, 2018 Share FacebookLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. XLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. LinkedInLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. Email For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York Geoffrey S. Berman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Raymond Donovan, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), announced that former New York City Police Department (“NYPD”) Detective SAED RABAH pled guilty to knowingly providing misinformation to a federal law enforcement officer in order to obstruct a narcotics investigation. RABAH pled guilty before the U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy. RABAH’s case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Vincent L. Briccetti. Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “As an NYPD detective, Saed Rabah swore to uphold the law – not to break it and help a known criminal continue trafficking drugs. Now this corrupt former officer faces serious prison time for his crimes.” According to the Information filed today, to which RABAH pled guilty, and a previously filed criminal complaint: The target of a narcotics investigation was a cooperator in another court proceeding, and RABAH was his handler. Despite his obligation as a cooperator to engage in no further criminal conduct, the target continued to operate a sophisticated narcotics distribution business. In May 2016, RABAH was contacted by law enforcement and informed that the target was under investigation for narcotics related offenses. In September 2016, RABAH was again contacted by law enforcement, this time about whether RABAH had a phone number for the target. RABAH waited to respond and, when he did, intentionally provided a phone number for the target that RABAH knew the target was no longer using, rather than providing the target’s active phone number through which RABAH and the target were regularly communicating at that time. As alleged in the complaint, RABAH’s obstruction of the investigation was only one component of his corrupt relationship with the target. For example, RABAH shared in the target’s proceeds from operating an illegal sports betting business by bringing in betters. In addition, RABAH and the target traveled to Las Vegas together in July 2016. Moreover, RABAH warned the target when RABAH observed one of the target’s employees make a drug delivery in a manner that RABAH believed could have drawn the attention of law enforcement. * * * RABAH, 46, of Brooklyn, New York, is charged with one count of obstruction of justice, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. RABAH is scheduled to be sentenced March 18, 2019. Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA’s Westchester Tactical Diversion Squad comprising agents and officers of the DEA, Yonkers Police Department, Orangetown Police Department, New York City Police Department, Westchester Police Department, Putnam Sheriff’s Office, Rockland County Sheriff’s Office, New Windsor Police Department, and the Woodbury Police Department. He also thanked the Special Agents of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for their assistance This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant United States Attorney Celia V. Cohen is in charge of the prosecution. Updated December 14, 2018 Topic Public Corruption Component USAO - New York, Southern Press Release Number: 18-442