Plea: Raleigh police officer sold cocaine while on duty

The United States Department of Justice announced Monday a Raleigh police officer will be barred from serving in law enforcement again.

According to the DOJ, Keven Rodriguez pleaded guilty to three drug trafficking and firearms charges for distributing cocaine while working on duty in his position as a field operations officer.

Rodriguez also pleaded guilty to the possession of contraband while in prison after a search of his jail cell found smoking paraphernalia.

The former field operations division officer with the Raleigh Police Department was arrested in 2022 and charged with distribution of cocaine and possession of a firearm.

As part of his plea deal, Rodriguez agreed to permanently surrender his law enforcement certification and will be barred from any law enforcement certification from either the Criminal Justice Commission or the Sheriff's Commission.

Rodriguez will be sentenced later this year, and faces a minimum of 10 years in prison.