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Former officer admits role in slaying
©Associated Press
© St. Petersburg Times,
published September 8, 2001
JACKSONVILLE -- Former police Officer Aric Sinclair pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to his role in the robbery and murder of a convenience store owner three years ago.
Sinclair escaped the death penalty with his plea and agreed to testify against fellow Jacksonville police Officer Karl Waldon. Sinclair could still be sentenced to life in prison.
Sinclair pleaded guilty to a conspiracy that resulted in the death of Sami Safar, drug trafficking and obstruction of justice. Thirteen of the 16 charges against him were dropped in the plea agreement. He is being held without bail until sentencing.
Two weeks ago, U.S. Attorney John Ashcroft ordered prosecutors to seek the death penalty for Waldon and a life sentence for Sinclair. Waldon's trial is scheduled for Feb. 4.
In July 1998, Sinclair alerted others that Safar was leaving his bank with $51,000 he had withdrawn. Sinclair worked part time at the bank as a security guard.
Waldon then stopped Safar, handcuffed him and put him in the trunk of his marked police car, prosecutors said. They drove to a park and Waldon allegedly choked Safar with a rope.
Sinclair and Waldon, along with Waldon's brother-in-law, James Swift Jr., and church friend Kenneth McLaughlin, were arrested last December after a federal grand jury returned a 26-count indictment.
Also arrested were fellow Officers Jason Pough and Reginald Bones.
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