Cop jailed for 7 years — found guilty of corruption

PC Carlton Roop stood quietly, and expressionlessly as Justice Malcolm Holdip addressed him, following a return of four guilty verdicts delivered by a nine-member jury. He was sentenced to seven years hard labour to run consecutively.

The charge stemmed from the officer’s promise to obtain a firearm user’s licence for Chaguanas businessman Man-bodhe Koonoo after soliciting, receiving and obtaining a sum of $16,000.

Holdip addressed the accused, who was found guilty of four corruption charges by a nine-member jury who returned to the court after deliberating for a little over two hours.

Before passing sentence, Holdip reminded the accused that in July he would have been able to celebrate his eleventh year of being in the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.

"In your cross-examination you told the court of how dedicated you were to the police Service and that you had hopes of retiring as a senior police officer. But here we are now where a jury has found you guilty of serious white collar offences. Some may call it a victimless crime, but I do not share this view," said Holdip to the accused.

"What this guilty verdict says here to me today is that you have abused your position of trust and, by your actions, you have affected the public’s confidence in all of your fellow colleagues. You have undermined the institution of which you are a member. This is a display of blatant and dishonest conduct," Holdip continued.

The judge also told the accused, that while his unblemished character was noted, he had a duty to the "weakening confidence of the people who trusted him."

Following the judge’s remarks, the accused man was informed of his seven year hard labour sentence. The announcement caused Roop’s relatives to storm out of the courtroom, sobbing and consoling each other.

Koonoo, who was allegedly deceived by Roop, quietly exited the courtroom following the verdict. Before leaving the court, Koonoo told Newsday he felt the entire thing could have been settled out of court, but maintained that Roop never attempted to repay him his money.

"You cannot be wrong and strong. All I wanted back was my money. When he comes from jail, he has to face the Almighty because he has robbed a faithful man," Koonoo said.

Attorneys Kathy Ann Waterman-Latchoo and Tricia Hudlin who represented the State were commended by Holdip for conducting the trial in a professional manner. Attorney El Farouk Hosein represented Roop.