Fmr. detective charged with extortion

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - A former Norfolk police officer appeared in federal court Monday afternoon on extortion charges.

Robert Glenn Ford, a former homicide investigator, allegedly accepted money from suspects in return for helping them get out on bond or receive lesser sentences, by telling prosecutors that they provided information in homicide investigations.

Ford was released on a $25,000 unsecured bond and is due back in court on May 19.

The U.S. Attorney's Office just unsealed the indictment . The indictment states that the suspects never assisted in the investigation of homicides.

The Ford investigation dates back to March 2003, and according to the indictment, the conspiracy continued through May 2007.

On February 19, 2010, FBI agents interviewed Ford and he is accused of lying during that interview.

Ford now faces five counts, which include one count of Conspiracy to Commit Extortion Under Color of Official Right, three counts of Extortion Under Color of Official Right and one count of False Statement.

He faces a maximum of 20 years on each of the extortion counts and five years on the false statement count.

Ford's lawyer, Larry Woodward, said Ford's record speaks for itself. "He's a twenty-eight year police officer," said Woodward. "He solved some of the toughest murders in Norfolk. I think he arrested and convicted over 180 murderers."

"He was notified of the indictment this morning through me, and within an hour, went over to the FBI and turned himself in," Woodward said.

Ford was an investigator on several high profile cases, including the July 1997 rape and murder of Michelle Moore-Bosko .

After he retired in 2007, Ford founded RGF Investigations , a private investigative service. According to the company website, Ford investigated more than 200 murders while in the homicide division.  The judge ordered Ford to let all his clients know about the charges he faces.

On the web:

Read the indictment