OAKLAND, Calif. — A former Northern California police officer pleaded guilty Friday to federal charges of stealing drugs from law enforcement, setting up men for drunken-driving arrests and other crimes.
Christopher Butler entered his plea in U.S. District Court to multiple counts, including robbery, conspiracy and extortion. He was at the center of a Contra Costa County drug task force scandal.
Butler and Norman Wielsch, former head of the now-defunct Central Contra Costa Narcotics Enforcement Team (CNET), were indicted last year for allegedly stealing marijuana and methamphetamine from evidence lockers to sell in 2010, prosecutors said.
The pair also ran a Pleasant Hill brothel, according to authorities.
Funded by the Department of Justice and overseen by officers from Contra Costa County police agencies, CNET was suspended in February 2011 after Wielsch and Butler, a former Antioch police officer, were arrested on suspicion of selling stolen drug evidence.
As a private investigator, Butler, 50, also admitted to setting up so-called "dirty DUIs" for wives in divorce cases. The scheme involved hiring attractive women to lure the husbands into cheating and drunken driving. Butler was also trying to land a reality show based on his business.
Wielsch, 51, who was indicted last year, has pleaded not guilty to similar charges against him.
Also Friday, Louis Lombardi, a former San Ramon police officer was sentenced to three years in federal prison for his role in the scandal.
As part of a plea deal, Lombardi plead guilty in January as part of a plea deal to stealing at least $40,000 in cash, guns, jewelry and other property while serving as an agent for the team.
A judge also ordered Lombardi, 39, to complete a drug-treatment program while in prison and to pay $7,500 in restitution to the city of San Ramon.
A fourth defendant, Stephen Tanabe, a former Danville police officer, is also being prosecuted for alleged crimes involving Butler and the "dirty DUI" incidents.
Tanabe denies the charges.