09/29/2009

News / Former Senior JFK Customs Inspector Sentenced in Manhattan Federal Court to 10 Years in Prison for Bribery and Narcotics Importation

SEPT 28 -- JOHN P. GILBRIDE, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York Field Division (“DEA”) and PREET BHARARA, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that WALTER GOLEMBIOWSKI, formerly a Supervisory Customs and Border Protection Officer at JFK International Airport, was sentenced on September 23, 2009 in Manhattan federal court to 10 years in prison. GOLEMBIOWSKI pleaded guilty on March 11, 2009, to narcotics conspiracy and two counts of bribery conspiracy before United States District Judge LAURA TAYLOR SWAIN, who also imposed today's sentence.

According to the Indictment to which GOLEMBIOWSKI pleaded guilty, the previously-filed criminal Complaint, and statements made during today's sentencing proceeding:

During its investigation, which included wiretaps, video surveillance, and undercover sting operations, OCDESF officers identified a number of individuals, including GOLEMBIOWSKI, who assisted in clearing shipments of hashish, other controlled substances, and counterfeit goods through United States Customs at JFK. The defendant also regularly accepted and solicited bribes to permit shipments of contraband to pass without inspection. GOLEMBIOWSKI was captured on multiple occasions on audio and video recordings accepting bribes to help co-conspirators bring in illegal drugs and counterfeit goods without detection.

GOLEMBIOWSKI's arrest and prosecution stemmed from a long-term investigation into a network of individuals importing large quantities of hashish, other controlled substances, and other contraband into the United States through John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York ("JFK").

This investigation was led by the New York Organized Crime Drug Enforcement “Strike Force” (Strike Force) which is comprised of agents and officers of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the New York City Police Department, the United States Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division, the Department of Homeland Security United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York State Police. The Strike Force is partially funded by the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), which is a federally funded crime fighting initiative.

The investigation has resulted in the indictment and successful prosecution of over 20 individuals, including overseas suppliers and local distributors, as well as the seizure of over 600 pounds of hashish and a significant quantity of narcotics proceeds, in both the United States and France. GOLEMBIOWSKI, 66, resides in Bethpage, New York. In addition to the prison term, Judge SWAIN ordered GOLEMBIOWSKI to pay a $10,000 and more than $2.5 million in forfeiture.

In sentencing the defendant, Judge SWAIN stated, “The crimes that you committed were serious ones, as you know, and the length of the sentence that you have received today reflects that. In committing these crimes, you took advantage of your position of trust and authority and you did put your community at risk. You disgraced yourself and you betrayed the trust of your country.”

http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/states/newsrel/2009/nyc092809a.html

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