Former D.C. School Worker Sentenced for Soliciting Bribes

A former D.C. school police officer was sentenced today to one year and one day in federal prison for soliciting bribes from a man running a parking business on the grounds of Eastern High School in Northeast Washington.

Shawn B. Armstead, 37, pleaded guilty in October to receiving bribes from the businessman in July and August in return for not interfering with the operation.

In court this morning, Armstead apologized for his conduct.

"I am truly sorry for it," he told U.S. District Judge Paul L. Friedman. "There is no excuse for it."

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Haray argued that Friedman should sentence Armstead to two years in prison. Federal public defender Lara Quint urged Friedman to sentence Armstead to probation, in part because he had used the scam's proceeds to pay his mother's medical expenses.

Friedman said he felt a year in prison was an appropriate sentence because Armstead abused his position and "undermined the honest good efforts of most police officers."

No sentencing date has been set for Shawn M. Johnson, 38, who also pleaded guilty to receiving a bribe. The officers admitted to accepting more than $1,500 in bribes from the businessman, who was not identified. Authorities caught onto the scheme when the businessman approached FBI agents to complain about the officers' demanding bribes in mid-July. FBI agents then tape-recorded calls and meetings involving the officers and businessman. Johnson and Armstead were arrested in late August.