Louisville Metro Police Department cop admits stealing $74K in drug money

A former Louisville detective once featured on the true crime TV show "48 Hours" pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday to stealing more than $74,700 in drug money while part of an elite drug task force.

Louisville Metro Police Detective Kyle Willett admitted in court that he stole several cash payments out of packages headed from local dealers to large-scale drug distributors in California and other destinations via the Louisville-based UPS Worldport hub.

"It's cartel drug dealer money that was heading back after doing bad things in our community," his attorney, Brian Butler, told reporters after the court hearing.

U.S. Magistrate Dave Whalin said Willett's sentence could be up to 10 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine. A U.S. District Court judge will determine the sentence April 19 after reviewing a pre-sentencing report and Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Calhoun's recommendation.

Read more: http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2016/12/21/louisville-detective-ensnared-fbi-sting/95669096/