Prosecutors have formally charged a former Redondo Beach police officer with multiple felonies in relation to a Dec. 16, 2010, police raid. Law enforcement claims the officer tipped off a suspect who was reportedly entering an El Segundo home that was the subject location of a search warrant. Police believe the man seen walking into the home just prior to a planned police drug raid was a Torrance police officer, who was also a friend of the accused former Redondo Beach officer.

Law enforcement suspected that illegal drugs were being sold at the home. Law enforcement had set up surveillance of the home, intending to serve a search warrant. A GMC Yukon parked near the home and a man went inside. Law enforcement claims the license plate on the Yukon indicated the vehicle was registered to the Torrance cop.

Police believe the Redondo Beach officer, who was working on the drug task force that was about to raid the home, sent a text message to his friend, the Torrance officer. The Torrance cop did not buy drugs and police claim he tried to flee. Prosecutors believe the Redondo Beach Officer attempted to call the Torrance officer as that man left the scene. Prosecutors further allege the Redondo Beach cop tried to talk other officers out of detaining his friend after the incident.

Police eventually raided the El Segundo residence. A 46-year-old man who is believed to live in the home was arrested on suspicion of drug charges after the search warrant was served. Police claim the man was in possession of controlled substances and a methamphetamine pipe.

Law enforcement says at least one of the illegal drugs found during the search is dronabinol, which is used to control nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy treatment. The man pled no contest to charges of maintaining a place for selling a controlled substance and was sentenced to three years probation.

On Jan. 30, 2012, the Redondo Beach officer pled not guilty to a series of felony charges and is scheduled to return to court on Feb. 14, He has been released on his own recognizance. The officer was fired from his job in Redondo Beach and plans to appeal that dismissal.

Source: Long Beach Press-Telegram, "Ex-Redondo Beach officer charged with tipping Torrance cop to drug raid," Larry Altman, Jan. 31, 2012