Phila. police officer arrested in drug sting ID'd

PHILADELPHIA - June 20, 2012 (WPVI) -- A Philadelphia police officer has been arrested after authorities conducted a drug sting.

23-year-old Philadelphia Police Officer Jonathan Garcia was arrested last night and indicted in federal court today.

He is charged with four counts of distribution of heroin and two counts of carrying a firearm during a drug transaction.

This was a joint investigation between the FBI and Philadelphia Police Department Internal Affairs over the last few months.

Investigators are looking into the possibility that others were involved.

According to an affidavit attached to the arrest warrant, Garcia sold bundles of heroin to a source cooperating with the FBI. The source was posing as a drug buyer.

The affidavit details several incidents between May 2012 and June 5, 2012 where Garcia sold the FBI source bundles of heroin.

Garcia was in uniform when he sold heroin to the source on May 16, 2012 and June 5, 2012, according to the affidavit.

If convicted of all charges, Garcia faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years imprisonment.

Garcia will be suspended for 30 days with intent to dismiss.

Garcia, an officer in the 17th district, would have been on the force for four years in August.

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