From: New York Daily News
ROBERT GEARTY
A disgraced ex-cop who sold out his badge in an FBI undercover sting for a paltry $18,000 was given a break Wednesday when he was sentenced to prison for one year and one day.
Gary Ortiz, 28, faced nearly three years in prison, but Manhattan Federal Court Judge Paul Gardephethe said his Army service entitled him to some leniency for the “repugnant” crime.
Ortiz was part of a sleazy crew of active and retired cops, who were charged last year with transporting guns and stolen goods — including untaxed cigarettes — across state lines.
“We place enormous trust in our Police Department and when you betray that trust you bear the consequences,” Gardephe said.
But he said he was willing to show Ortiz mercy because of his distinguished military record.
Ortiz was moved by the 9/11 terror attacks to join the Army in 2002 after he graduated high school. He spent three years in Iraq and a year in Afghanistan.
He joined the NYPD after he came back from Iraq and was assigned to the 71st Precinct.
Ortiz choked up as he read a brief statement before being sentenced.
“There’s no explanation for what I’ve done,” Ortiz said. “I’ll never forgive myself for this.”
Ortiz was one of six active duty and retired NYPD officers recruited into a smuggling ring by Brooklyn cop William Masso.
They were arrested in October, along with five others, the culmination of a two-year FBI probe.
Ortiz made three trips with Masso and other ring members from February to September 2011.
On the last trip, Ortiz helped transport 20 guns, including three M-16s and a shotgun, to New York from New Jersey. Some of the guns had defaced serial numbers.
Ortiz was paid $5,000 for that trip. He received $13,000 for the other two.
Prosecutor Carrie Cohen said Ortiz’s actions were inexcusable.
“He knew from his military service the danger of guns and what guns can do,” she said. “As a police officer he was well aware of what guns can do on the streets of New York.”
Of the 12 suspects who were charged, 11 have pleaded guilty.
Masso was sentenced to nearly five years in prison.
Formers cops Joseph Trischitta and Marco Venezia were sentenced to more than three years and two years, respectively.
Ortiz was also ordered to forfeit the $18,000 in ill-gotten gains and to begin serving his sentence on Nov 26.
