| | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 25, 2025 | Kevin Nash
(410) 209-4946
| FORMER MARYLAND STATE TROOPER PLEADS GUILTY TO
DRUG AND BRIBERY CHARGES Defendant Riggs conspired to sell law-enforcement informant
information to a drug trafficking organization. Baltimore, Maryland – Justin Riggs, 35, of Smithsburg, Maryland, pleaded guilty, yesterday, to federal charges of Conspiracy to Distribute and Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Controlled Dangerous Substances, Use of a Communication Facility in Causing or Facilitating the Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Dangerous Substances, and Travel Act-State of Maryland Bribery. Phil Selden, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the plea with Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Baltimore Field Division. "As a law enforcement officer, Justin Riggs violated his sworn duty to uphold the public trust and put a life in harm's way," stated Acting United States Attorney Selden. "The District of Maryland U.S. Attorney's Office will relentlessly pursue corrupt law-enforcement officers who try to dishonor their badge as we also work to support the many honorable officers whose reputations they unfairly tarnish." "Not only did Riggs deliberately and willingly violate the oath he took as a sworn law enforcement officer, but he also put other lives at risk with his greed and deceit," said SAC DelBagno. "The FBI is committed to working with our partners to thoroughly investigate such cases to protect the American people and preserve public trust in law enforcement." According to his guilty plea, in December 2022, Riggs — who was serving as a Maryland State Trooper — was part of a Maryland State Police team investigating drug-and-gun trafficking in Western Maryland. The team used at least one confidential human source during the investigation. Riggs created a fictitious Facebook account to contact a drug-distributor target. While corresponding with the drug distributor, Riggs informed the drug distributor that he worked "for a fed agency." Riggs also told the drug distributor that he had "tons more info pertaining to your biggest informant." The former Maryland state trooper initiated several electronic conversations with the drug distributor between 2022 and 2023, attempting to sell the informant's identity. The parties have agreed that if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Riggs will receive a sentence between 48 and 108 months in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher will schedule sentencing for a later date. Acting United States Attorney Selden commended the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Maryland State Police, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for their work in the investigation. Mr. Selden also thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Christine Goo and Sean Delaney who are prosecuting the case. For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney's Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach. # # # | 
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