Feds charge Calif. drug agent in corruption plot

By The Associated Press
4:13 p.m., Aug. 15, 2011

SAN FRANCISCO — The former leader of a Northern California narcotics task force and a private investigator are being held without bail following their indictments on federal drug, conspiracy and extortion charges.

FBI agents on Monday arrested Norman Wielsch, the ex-commander of a Contra Costa County Narcotics Enforcement Team, and Christopher Butler, a private investigator with whom Wielsch is alleged to have sold marijuana and methamphetamine taken during legitimate and staged drug raids, U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag said.

The grand jury last week also charged the two men with stealing money from prostitutes during phony sting operations.

Contra Costa County prosecutors earlier this year filed similar charges against Butler and Wielsch along with two other former police officers. All pleaded not guilty.

Wielsch's defense lawyer, Michael Cardoza, tells The Associated Press that he expects the local charges to be dismissed now that there is a federal indictment.

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