MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Deputy has been arrested for attempting to steal thousands of dollars from an alleged drug dealer.
Jeremy Drewery of Arlington reportedly demanded $15,000 from the alleged drug dealer after the man was busted at his home with drugs.
Drewery told the man in exchange he would help him get off of the criminal charges.
Prosecutors also told WREG’s Luke Jones in the days following his initial demand for money, Drewery called and texted the suspect.
At one point he wrote, “You really think I’m (expletive) around, don’t you?…You will have a warrant out for your arrest on Monday.”
The alleged drug dealer went straight to the FBI.
The agency supplied the cash and watched as the suspect met with the deputy at various locations around Cordova to hand it over.
In the end, Drewery stopped meeting the suspect after he got his hands on $8,000.
Drewery appeared in court on Wednesday and was charged with one count of Hobbs Act Extortion.
If convicted he could face up to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.
Drewery worked with the Narcotics Task Force.