MONONGAHELA - A city police officer was arrested this morning on drug trafficking charges, the first person charged as a result of an ongoing grand jury investigation.
George Langan, of Union Street, Monongahela, was arrested while on duty this morning by county detectives, municipal police and the county sheriff.
Langan, whose street name is "G Money," is accused of tipping off at least three suspected drug dealers who were under surveillance by investigators.
Washington County District Attorney Steven M. Toprani announced drug and public corruption charges were filed this morning against Langan.
The grand jury Thursday returned a presentment requesting the district attorney to initiate criminal proceedings against Langan.
The grand jury implicated Langan as an important figure in Monongahela's cocaine trade, asserts that Langan protected drug dealers by alerting them of searches and arrests, and by revealing police information of counter-drug efforts.
The grand jury believes Langan distributed cocaine as a partner in a drug-dealing organization.
Langan was targeted by the grand jury in June after drug task force detectives suspected that several narcotics investigations were compromised by "tip-offs" Langan made to suspects. Toprani, lead prosecutor with the grand jury, commented on the investigation and arrest.
"I view these allegations with a profound sense of sadness. The grand jury asserts that a rogue police officer protected the criminals he was duty-bound to arrest, a blatant example of abusing authority for personal motive. Langan's actions placed my task force detectives and supporting police in peril," Toprani said.
"This renews my commitment to stamp out corruption from law enforcement and government. We will relentlessly investigate and prosecute those who trample the public trust and harm our people."
The investigation was supported by local, state and federal law enforcement agencies that investigated Langan at various times over several years.
"Today law enforcement stands together," Toprani remarked. "Without the dedicated assistance from the law enforcement community, the grand jury would have struggled to bring this case forward.
"I thank (city) Chief Brian Tempest, the FBI, state police, the Attorney General's Office and Detective Levi and the task force for their service to the people of Monongahela. In the face of these allegations, I remain ever proud to serve with the finest in law enforcement here in Washington County."
Langan faces 10 counts: obstruction of justice, hindering apprehension, official oppression, possession of a controlled substance (suspected cocaine), delivery of a controlled substance (suspected cocaine), criminal conspiracy, corrupt organization, witness intimidation, criminal use of a communication facility, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The grand jury, the first in the county in three decades, was formed for an 18-month term to investigate allegations of criminal activity. Its work will continue.
