NYPD Detective Pleads Guilty To Violent Racketeering Conspiracy Involving Bribery And Theft
US Attorney’s Office In Manhattan announced that NYPD Detective Saul De La Cruz has pleaded guilty. De La Cruz admitted to participating in a criminal enterprise that committed bribery and theft. Saul Arismendy De La Cruz used the aliases of “Nene,” and “Venom.”
Prosecutors alleged the former NYPD Detective accepted bribes for providing crew members with confidential police information. This confidential information contained information about potential victims and ongoing investigations. The investigation also showed De La Cruz would provide the crew with confidential law information. He would also tip off members of the crew about planned FBI arrests in exchange for kickbacks and bribes. Thus, this allowed them to flee the US.
The court has scheduled a sentencing hearing for De La Cruz on January 8, 2026. US Attorney Jay Clayton told the media:
“The NYPD is the best police department in the world and, sadly, Saul Arismendy De La Cruz turned his back on his colleagues and the people of New York. The NYPD and the people of New York deserve better, and we will pursue a sentence that matches the seriousness of De La Cruz’s conduct.”
FBI Assistant Director Christopher G. Raia also stated De La Cruz’s actions violated his oath to protect this city. Rja also stated De La Cruz enabled criminals to continue wreaking havoc on our communities.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch also stated:
“The NYPD holds its officers to the highest standards, and it’s an affront to our entire department when someone so blatantly violates them and abuses the public’s trust. Saul De La Cruz’s actions were not only highly illegal, but they put our officers at great risk and jeopardized our public safety work. We will continue to work with our partners in the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office to root out any misconduct and ensure justice is always served.”
Federal Prosecutors say De La Cruz was part of a violent theft crew led by Dagoberto Soto-Ramirez, a/k/a “Pito,”
Who Is Dagoberto Soto-Ramirez?
Between 2017 and 2022, SOTO-RAMIREZ ran an organized a crew that committed residential burglaries and home invasion robberies. He would also instruct his members to repeatedly target small Asian-American business owners.
Crew members would steal money, jewelry, and other property from scores of homes in states across the country at gunpoint.
The crew would also commit identity theft and bank fraud. They would then laundering the theft proceeds.
Soto-Ramirez remains a fugitive. Anyone with information about his whereabouts should contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
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