Ex-NYPD Cop Pleads Guilty to Gun, Drug Charges

Roslyn Heights resident sold guns reported ‘missing’ from evidence locker of precinct; expected to receive 5 years in prison

MINEOLA – Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced today that a former New York City Police Officer pleaded guilty late Friday afternoon to selling handguns later reported ‘missing’ from an NYPD evidence room and possessing powerful painkillers illegally obtained from an East Meadow pharmacy in exchange for a promised sentence of five years in prison.

Hubertus Vannes, 31, of Roslyn Heights, pleaded guilty to Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree and two counts of Criminal Sale of a Firearm before County Court Judge Edward Maron. He is scheduled to be sentenced July 22.

Vannes was arrested in November 2007 along with Anthony Vitta, 45, of East Meadow and Howard Brass, 48, of North Bellmore, as the result of an investigation into a prescription drug dealing ring. Brass, a pharmacist, has already pleaded guilty to Insurance Fraud in the Second Degree and Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, and was sentenced to eight months in jail and $1.5 million in forfeiture. Vitta’s case is pending. He’s due back in court June 2.

Rice said that Brass would create fake patients and distribute hundreds of thousands of pills to Vitta, who is accused of selling those pills with Vannes. Vannes also admitted to selling three handguns to Vitta, who later sold two of them to undercover investigators. Three handguns were later reported ‘missing’ from the evidence locker at the NYPD’s 110th Precinct in Queens. Rice said investigators recovered the third handgun in Vitta’s home.

“Hopefully Mr. Vannes will use the next five years contemplating how to earn back the public’s trust,” said Rice.

Handling the cases for the District Attorney’s Office is Assistant District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly, of the DA’s Rackets Bureau. Vannes is represented by Eric Bernstein, Esq.

The charges against Vitta are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.