Two D.C. Public Schools police officers were arrested on bribery charges in a scheme to force a businessman to kick back proceeds from a parking operation, according to documents filed in federal court.
Shawn Maurice Johnson, 38, and Shawn Bertram Armstead, 37, are accused of threatening to close down a parking business unless the operator paid them 25 percent of his profits, documents said. While Johnson explained how the arrangement would work, Armstead drew out his baton, expanded and tapped it “threateningly,” according to the documents.
The operator used playing fields on the grounds of Eastern Senior High School at 1700 East Capitol Street Northeast to charge vehicles to park for events that were held both on and off school property.
The officers, who are granted police powers by the Metropolitan Police Department, also agreed to provide cover for the operator to continue to use the parking lot when he was unable to get authorization to use the fields, documents said.
