A jury has convicted a former Cumming Police Sergeant of accepting bribes and computer fraud.
Nathan VanBuren, 35, responded to a 911 call to a home where he arrested a citizen. In July and August of 2015, it was discovered that VanBuren had additional communications with the citizen he arrested.
During those communications, VanBuren asked the citizen for a loan under the lie that his wages were being garnished and he had incurred financial debt due to his son's medical and surgical expenses when in fact none of those things were true.
While cooperating with law enforcement, the citizen provided VanBuren with $5,000 in response to his repeated requests for money. VanBuren also used $1,000 in order to unlawfully access a law enforcement database and provided the results of a search for that citizen, according to the court.
VanBuren resigned before he was terminated.
"VanBuren broke the very laws he swore to uphold and enforce," said U.S. Attorney Byung J. "BJay" Pak.
"Police officers are afforded respect, and are expected to model integrity and honesty. This former officer undermined the hard work of other officers who serve, as well as the community's trust and respect for the police."
"The FBI is charged with the unfortunate but necessary task of investigating police misconduct, to include corruption. That was the case with the allegations received involving then Cumming Police Sgt. VanBuren, which resulted in his federal indictment and today's convictions via jury trial. The FBI continues to ask the public to do its part by reporting all allegations of public corruption, to include those involving law enforcement, to their nearest FBI field office for prompt action," said David J. LeValley, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Atlanta Field Office.
VanBuren has been found guilty of honest services wire fraud and computer fraud and his sentencing has not been scheduled yet.
