Officer Indictments Began with ATF Investigation into Illegal Gun Sales

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Officer Indictments Began with ATF Investigation into Illegal Gun Sales

On Monday, Oct. 22, 2007, FBI agents arrested Ryan Huston and Andy Taghon (both pictured here), fired in July 2006 from their jobs as St. Joseph County Police officers; and Jamie Buford, on paid leave from the South Bend Police Department. Federal prosecutors charged Huston, Taghon and Buford with aiding and abetting wire fraud and conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute the drug.

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Oct 23, 2007 at 10:20 AM EST

Story Updated: Oct 23, 2007 at 5:12 PM EST

(WSBT/SBT247News) An ATF investigation of illegal gun sales led to the federal corruption probe that has resulted in the indictment of three area police officers, officials announced Tuesday morning.

David Capp, acting U.S. attorney, made the revelation during a press conference about the probe.

Federal agents on Monday had arrested former St. Joseph County police officers Ryan Huston and Andrew Taghon, both 33, as well as Jamie Buford, 38, a South Bend police officer who is on paid administration leave.

Authorities said those three and another indicted individual, Daniel Alvarez, will have detention hearings Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Hammond. They are now being held without bond in Lake County.

The indictment alleges that from July 2004 through March 2005, Buford, Huston and Taghon, through their work as police officers, learned the location of house trailers containing cocaine and stolen merchandise while the trailers’ owner was incarcerated.

The officers then stole the items and cocaine and solicited an unnamed felon to steal more items, according to the indictment.

"You have a duty to the public that employs you to not use your position for personal gain," Capp said during Tuesday's press conference.

"No one is more upset with the actions of these two individuals, three individuals, in law enforcement, than those of us in law enforcement," said St. Joseph County Sheriff Frank Canarecci.

To read Sheriff Canarecci's full statement, click on the link in the Related Content box.

A grand jury has indicted Buford, Huston and Taghon with aiding and abetting wire fraud and conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute the drug.

Taghon also faces charges of selling a firearm to a felon and selling a stolen firearm, according to court documents.

To read the full text of the charges against the men, click on the link in the Related Content box.

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