NEW YORK—An informant working for the FBI helped garner evidence against an NYPD officer who headed a group of criminals in a firearm and stolen goods interstate transportation scheme.
William Masso, 48, a former NYPD officer, was sentenced to 57 months in prison for being the leader of a group of both retired and active NYPD officers, and others, who ferried firearms and stolen goods, such as cartons of cigarettes, across state lines.
According to court documents, Masso met a confidential informant who worked for the FBI and showed interest in selling contraband. The informant began bringing Masso cigarettes he said were stolen outside New York. Masso sold the cigarettes, and later recruited police officers to help safely transport firearms and stolen goods into New York from other states. The group ferried firearms such as three M-16 rifles and 16 handguns, and goods they were told were stolen, such as 12 slot machines and thousands of cartons of cigarettes.
“William Masso chose to abuse the power conferred on him by the badge he wore and to encourage others to do the same,” Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said in a statement. “His sentencing today brings this sorry tale of corruption that disserved the NYPD and the people of New York City one step closer to conclusion.”
Eleven co-conspirators were originally charged with Masso, including four active-duty NYPD officers and three retired officers. All pleaded guilty and await sentencing, except for one officer who is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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