SAN DIEGO (CNS) - Two married San Diego police officers pleaded guilty Wednesday to conspiring to commit burglaries while armed and on duty in order to steal prescription medications and other crimes.
Bryce Charpentier, 32, faces up to 14 years and Jennifer Charpentier, 41, originally faced up to 11 years and in state prison, but a judge Wednesday said each would now face a maximum sentence of 7 years, 8 months. They are scheduled to be sentenced January 30.
Both defendants pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit a burglary, conspiracy to commit a crime -- possession and sale of a controlled substance -- selling or furnishing a narcotic substance and possession of a firearm by an addict.
Deputy District Attorney Matthew Tag said the defendants' decision to plead guilty to all charges came as a surprise.
"You know, police officers are human beings just like everyone else, so they can commit crimes as well, it's just unfortunate and it's a complete betrayal to the law enforcement community, and I expect them to think about that in state prison," the prosecutor told reporters outside court.
According to their guilty pleas, the Charpentiers admitted sending text messages to each other in order to set up burglaries in which they stole prescription drugs from people they had contact with while on duty. The defendants also admitted stealing Hydrocodone and selling the drug.
Jennifer Charpentier even offered to take over a narcotics operation from a drug dealer, Tag said.
Following their court appearance Wednesday, SDPD Chief Shelley Zimmerman released the following statement:
"Effective today, November 19, 2014, Jennifer and Bryce Charpentier are no longer members of the San Diego Police Department. Both of these individuals will have to face the consequences of their actions, which have diminished the great work our officers do every day to serve our City."