News

Actions

Former cop faces jail time for refusing to hand over tipster’s info

Posted at 11:43 PM, Mar 19, 2014
and last updated 2014-03-19 23:43:12-04

We often report Crime Stoppers cases. Situations when police officers ask the public for tips and in exchange they promise to protect your identity.

Crime Stoppers Director Richard Masten, located in Miami, Florida, could be looking at jail time for going to extreme lengths to protect one tipster's name.

Masten refused to hand over details of an anonymous tip in a cocaine case last week.
Instead, as he sat in court, he ate a piece of paper containing the information.

The judge held Masten in contempt of court, but the retired cop says he doesn't regret his decision.

Masten will find out soon how long he could spend in jail.  Media outlets report that he faces 14-days behind bars.