US EditionEx-Bay Area Police Officer Convicted of Posing as ATF Agent in Cannabis Extortion Scheme
ROHNERT PARK, CALIFORNIA, JUL 12 – Joseph Huffaker was convicted of six counts including conspiracy and falsifying records after extorting 23 pounds of marijuana by impersonating federal agents during unauthorized stops.
- On Friday, July 11, 2025, a federal jury in San Francisco convicted former Rohnert Park officer Joseph Huffaker on six counts for extorting cannabis and cash by posing as a federal agent during traffic stops.
- The case originated from a plot dating back to at least December 18, 2017, when Huffaker and former officer Brendan Jacy Tatum impersonated agents of the ATF and confiscated 23 pounds of cannabis from motorists on Highway 101 near Sonoma-Mendocino.
- The officers extorted marijuana and money from motorists by threatening arrest, which led to internal investigations, Tatum's resignation in March 2018, Huffaker leaving the force in 2019 with a $75,000 settlement, and a $1.5 million city settlement to eight victims in 2020.
- U.S. Attorney Craig Missakian emphasized that law enforcement interactions must not become opportunities for extortion, while FBI Special Agent Sanjay Virmani highlighted that the recent verdict reinforces the principle that everyone is accountable under the law.
- Huffaker faces up to 20 years in prison, and the verdict underscores zero tolerance for misconduct by public officials harming trust in law enforcement.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Former North Bay Cop Found Guilty of Posing as Federal Agent to Rob Drivers of Weed, Cash
A federal jury on Friday convicted former Rohnert Park police officer Joseph Huffaker on all six counts tied to a yearslong scheme in which he and other officers illegally stopped drivers on Highway 101 and stole their cannabis and cash — prior to the legalization of recreational cannabis.As KQED reports, charges included conspiracy, extortion, falsifying records, impersonating a federal officer, and filing a false tax return. Prosecutors said H…
California military veteran arrested for posing as cop, bounty hunter: Sheriff
Gregg Jackson, 40, from Santa Rosa, California, was arrested earlier this week for impersonating a law enforcement officer, specifically "using a vehicle outfitted with red and blue emergency lights and was identifying himself as a bounty hunter," the Sonoma County…
Ex-Bay Area police officer convicted of posing as ATF agent in cannabis extortion scheme
By Tim Fang Click here for updates on this story San Francisco (KPIX) — A former San Francisco Bay Area police officer was found guilty in federal court Friday for posing as a federal agent, extortion and other charges in connection with a scheme to steal cannabis and money from drivers during traffic stops. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California announced that a jury convicted 40-year-old Joseph Huffaker, a forme…
Former North Bay police officer convicted in corruption case
By Colin Atagi A federal jury convicted former Rohnert Park police officer Joseph Huffaker on Friday on all six counts for his role in a scheme to steal cannabis and cash from drivers while posing as a federal agent. The verdict came after about 90 minutes of deliberation, less than three hours after closing arguments wrapped in U.S. District Court in San Francisco, where prosecutors accused Huffaker and his former sergeant of impersonating fede…
thepress.net
Former Rohnert Park officer convicted on multiple charges including extortion and impersonation
SAN FRANCISCO, California — A federal jury has convicted Joseph Huffaker, a former police officer from Rohnert Park, on six counts including conspiracy to commit extortion and impersonating a federal officer. The verdict follows a week-long trial presided over by…
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