Trial set for former police officers facing federal charges

by Leanne Tokars (ltokars@wsbt.com)

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Jamie Buford, Ryan Huston, and Andy Taghon

HAMMOND — Three former local police officers facing federal drug and fraud charges will head to trial in the fall. Former South Bend police officer Jamie Buford and former St. Joseph County deputies Ryan Huston and Andrew Taghon pleaded not guilty to all charges against them on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2008.

By WSBT News1

Story Created: Jan 10, 2008 at 6:34 PM EST

Story Updated: Jan 10, 2008 at 6:56 PM EST

HAMMOND — Three former local police officers facing federal drug and fraud charges will head to trial in the fall.

Former South Bend police officer Jamie Buford and former St. Joseph County deputies Ryan Huston and Andrew Taghon pleaded not guilty to all charges against them on Thursday.

Federal prosecutors claim they used their positions as police officers to target trailers containing stolen items and cocaine, and pocketed the money from the sales.

Taghon also faces charges for selling two stolen guns to a convicted felon.

Plus, two new drug charges have been filed against Taghon and one additional drug charge against Huston.

“I don’t feel good about any charges being filed,” commented Huston’s lawyer Nick Thiros.

Taghon only said he was “disappointed” when asked what he thought of the new charges.

Federal prosecutors also revealed in court Thursday that they have an additional 600 pages of evidence, including bank notes and policy memos from the St. Joseph County and South Bend police departments.

“We're proceeding as planned. The trial is set in September sometime, and we're gong to pursue it,” said Buford’s lawyer William Padula.

A federal judge Thursday acknowledged the complexity in the case. He expects it to last two weeks in September.

WSBT also learned Thursday that William Speybroeck is in the custody of US Marshals.

Speybroeck is reportedly a key witness in this case. He told The South Bend Tribune that he was involved with the officers.

The government would not confirm whether he was in the custody because of security measures.

Monday, Jan 14 at 7:38 PM South Bend Grad wrote ...

I believe that there are officers who commit racial profiling, plant evidence and drugs in order to arrest individuals for unwarranted reasons. However, there are dedicated officers who take their oaths to protect very seriously. They "the honorable police officers" SHOULD NOT have to be classified in the same manner as those considered "ABOVE THE LAW". On the other hand there are those who should be face the same laws and charges as other criminals."THEY ARE NOT ABOVE THE LAW AND GO TO JAIL"

Sunday, Jan 13 at 7:43 PM Anon wrote ...

I thought these officers were innocent until proven guitly. I guess everyone who is charged anymore is guilty until proven innocent. Just shows how messed up this city really is. I will not judge until judging is needed. If they are guilty so be it, if not they deserve their normal lives back. The media is always blowing things out of the water. Let these guys have their day in court before you judge.

Sunday, Jan 13 at 1:34 AM MR SOUTH BEND... wrote ...

never watched "the sheild" a day in my life...not even sure what it really is

Saturday, Jan 12 at 11:40 PM Bill wrote ...

Mr. South Bend, you have been watching too much of the Shield.

Saturday, Jan 12 at 3:40 PM MR. SOUTHBEND wrote ...

i think the only reason you dont see the same things i see is because you dont want to see it...you turn your head and look the other way...i dont know how true it is, but isn't there a saying that cops dont trust cops unless they have done a little dirt?? meaning they dont trust a totally honest cop??? and for the profiling thing, i believe in it because ive been pulled over about 3 times since i was 16, pulled out of the car, searched, and didnt even get a ticket, went to jail or anything...

Saturday, Jan 12 at 8:21 AM Bill wrote ...

Well, Mr. South Bend, the racial profiling was but an example. You truly are a sad individual if you think 6/10 are crooked cops. Why should anyone "Believe" you more than me. I am on the same streets daily and I don't see the same things you do. I work with very dedicated officers who want to make a difference and help people as corny as that sounds. I still believe my career is an honorable and noble profression despite dealing with people like Mr. South Bend.

Saturday, Jan 12 at 2:42 AM MR. SOUTH BEND wrote ...

i posted the first comment and im back to reply.. the cops are just as crooked as the drug dealers, and thugs on the streets,only difference is they have badges and guns.. BELIEVE ME...im in the streets every day,and dont make it a racial issue because im WHITE, mr. bill...so take your profiling statement elsewhere! if i had to take a guess being realistic id say 6/10 are crooked! ive delt with em time and time again...and the bad thing about it is I HAVE NO RECORD WHAT SO EVER...

Friday, Jan 11 at 10:36 PM Greg wrote ...

Larry- I believe it. But in that capacity, maybe something should said, even anonymously...

Friday, Jan 11 at 5:37 PM Anonymous wrote ...

if this is the way police work why not give real offenders and opportunity to serve and protect we may have a better chance some do want to change and live a better life especially if it's a dumb mistake and some have learned the hard way only god knows what really goes on .

Friday, Jan 11 at 3:26 PM Penny wrote ...

Steve - what does having a college degree have to do with being able to have a gun? If you want anyone to listen to your point you shouldn't say idiotic things like that!

Friday, Jan 11 at 3:07 PM Larry wrote ...

Greg..You don't have to believe me but most good cops can not stand the bad cops. Look at all the negative publicity and comments directed at Police because of the bad apples. They have all been lumped into one group by the ignorant people amongst us. Heck just read some of these comments for proof. But like I said you don't have to believe me just ask any cop how he/she feels about dirty cops.

Friday, Jan 11 at 1:50 PM Greg wrote ...

Maybe all of the good cops can weed out the bad ones!!! That would solve the issue...

Friday, Jan 11 at 11:58 AM Larry wrote ...

What is sad Steve is that you can type that crap and not even have a clue. Most cops are college educated these days. But don't let a little thing like the FACTS get in the way of the agenda you have.

Friday, Jan 11 at 11:05 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Cop's Wife, that was a great comment! My best friend is ALMOST a Elkhart police officer and he's one of the best guys I know. Don't group the "bad ones" with the good ones. The don't deserve that.

Friday, Jan 11 at 10:56 AM Anonymous wrote ...

It is sad that we have to worry about dealing w/ honest cops. I had my first dealing a year ago and was unfortunate to get a very dishonest officer. She had a family that was the judge and I was told by one of her coworkers she got away w/ everything. Makes me sad that I'm supposed to raise my kids to respect them. I know they're not all bad, but one bad apple can make you very leary. If they're guilty they deserve what anyone else should get. There are too many egos in uniform.

Friday, Jan 11 at 10:54 AM Winston wrote ...

Doing little under handed things to get more money is not uncommon. I know of a company that had a contract with a garage to repair their fleet of trucks. The garage would over charge, the co. would pay and a manager from the co. and the manager from the garage, who were friends, would go on hunting trips. No one cares until it has to be "dealt with" to save a co.'s image.

Friday, Jan 11 at 10:50 AM steve wrote ...

Sad that police officers don't have to get a college degree....but yet can have a gun....very sad

Friday, Jan 11 at 10:42 AM Cop's wife wrote ...

I'm sorry my husband has to pull you over because you don't think the seatbelt law applies to you or because you think that going 10 miles over the speed limit isn't a big deal. I'm also sorry that he has to risk his life when he walks up to a vehicle or into a home or business. But he does, because the "sad reality" is that he can't trust people to abide by the law. People who have the attitude that the police are trying to get them compound the problem. Let the good cops do their jobs.

Friday, Jan 11 at 9:47 AM Greg wrote ...

Obviuously there is some validity to these charges as they were not brought on by the media. Pretty sad really. How do some people sleep at night?

Friday, Jan 11 at 8:46 AM south bend wrote ...

Just remember, Police can be set up to. Not saying that's what is going on in this case however I have seen it happen. If they are proven guilty then they should do all the time, if proven innocent, they should be given there jobs back. Don't jump to conclusion from media reports, they are almost never correct.

Friday, Jan 11 at 7:54 AM Bill wrote ...

I take great exception to the comments of both mr. southbend and anonymous 248! I have been a police officer for over 17 years and work with many dedicated and HONEST officers who do the job daily despite some negative people like the two mentioned. You two are ones who would complain about police profiling and such, but sure don't mind lumping us with those having legal issues. Just because we are police doesn't mean the Constituion doesn't apply to us.

Friday, Jan 11 at 7:45 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Bad Boys, it is time to get the crooked police. This gives the good police a bad name.

Friday, Jan 11 at 5:04 AM Part wrote ...

The chief witness:a lowlife like William Speybroeck.

Friday, Jan 11 at 2:48 AM Anonymous wrote ...

The sad reality is that you can NOT trust a police officer anymore. They can and do set people up, intimidate them, threaten to arrest them, and plant evidence. If you're pulled over, you're at their mercy so record everything on your cell phone just in case. When you can be pulled over on a whim because of perceived seatbelt violation or minor speed issue, then they can do anything. If the police want to mess with you and hassle you they can.

Friday, Jan 11 at 1:18 AM mr.southbend wrote ...

theres your upstanding police officers that protect us! just as crooked as the people they arrest....im not saying all are but ive never met one that wasn't crooked...from what ive heard there's alot more to this story than the media tells us...i hope they see big prison time

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