Deputy charged with ripping off drug dealers

Courtney Zubowski / 11 News - August 19, 2008

HOUSTON -- Former Precinct 4 deputy Terrence Richardson has been charged with engaging in organized activity and robbery. It's alleged that Richardson and another man ripped off drug dealers and took their money. Apparently, they would find out where 'drug buys' were going down, show up and rob the dealers. Richardson is believed to have been doing this while on duty,using his patrol car and wearing his uniform. After the Houston Police Department learned about the allegations, they set up a sting. Investigators said they caught him doing his dirty work early Monday evening. The one concern the department has is that Richardson has been in the precinct for two years and has worked several cases. The constable’s office will have to go back and check to see if any of those cases were compromised. "He's a good guy. I don't believe he had done something like that. This is news to me. I would have never thought that he would be involved in something like this," said James Warren, Richardson's stepfather. Richardson was removed from the department Monday night. He's jailed and being held on a $200,000 bond.