Friday, April 14, 2000
Ex-police officer sentenced to 8 years for drug offenses
BY Dan Horn
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Rolando Underwood found plenty of trouble during his career as a Cincinnati police officer.
Three suspensions for misconduct. Five reprimands. Accusations of incompetence, neglect of duty and failure of good behavior.
But he didn't hit his lowest point until he walked into a courtroom Thursday to plead guilty to dealing drugs while he was an officer.
“For a uniformed officer to do this,” Judge Thomas Crush said, “it's a terrible embarrassment to the police force.”
The judge then sentenced Mr. Underwood to eight years in prison for trafficking marijuana, obstructing justice and unauthorized use of property.
The plea deal officially ended a career that has been marred by controversy and misconduct since it began in 1989.
He was fired from his initial recruit class after officers found an unauthorized gun in his car.
Although he was reinstated in 1991, more trouble soon followed.
The most notable incident involved the accidental shooting death of Darnell Mansoor, a fellow police officer who was shot in 1993 with Officer Underwood's gun.
Although another officer was handling the gun when it went off, Officer Underwood received a 30-day suspension for failure of good behavior.
Two other incidents that led to disciplinary action involved allegations linking him to drugs or suspected drug dealers.
Similar charges were made when he was indicted last year.
Prosecutors said Mr. Underwood was pointing out undercover officers to drug suspects.
At times, they said, he would show up at locations that were under surveillance.
Police began an investigation when a police informant began recording conversations with Mr. Underwood.
Police Chief Thomas Streicher has said Mr. Underwood, 41, made reference in those conversations to setting up a “drug distribution network” and to killing officers who tried to stop him.
“There's no question this is a very serious matter,” Judge Crush said.
At the hearing Thursday in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court, Mr. Underwood's attorney, John Burlew, said his client has taken responsibility for his actions.
“He has taken the right course,” Mr. Burlew said.
“He is ready to go ahead and do his time.”
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