Episode Summary: "Police Officer Arrested and Convicted, Sent to Prison, Was It Fair?"

Podcast: Law Enforcement Talk: True Crime and Trauma Stories
Host: John "Jay" Wiley
Guest: Stephanie Moore (Former Prince George's County, MD Police Officer)
Date: January 7, 2026

Overview

This powerful episode explores the story of Stephanie Moore, a former police officer from Prince George's County, Maryland, who was arrested, tried twice, and ultimately convicted on federal civil rights charges stemming from a 1995 arrest. Despite her exemplary record, Moore was sent to federal prison—a decision she and host John "Jay" Wiley scrutinize in detail. Together, they discuss the far-reaching impact of Moore's ordeal, touching on themes of justice, trauma, and recovery, while questioning the motivations and fairness of federal prosecution in her case. Moore's story is not only about law enforcement and legal complexities, but about personal resilience and the human cost of systemic failures.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Stephanie's Law Enforcement Background

• Stephanie always aspired to be a police officer, aiming for roles in patrol, canine handling, and homicide investigation.
  • "Ever since I was a little girl, that is the only job I ever wanted to do when I grew up." (03:30)
• She joined Prince George's County Police in the early 1990s, a department known for its high standards, training, and pay—considered prestigious in the region.
  • "At the time, Prince George's county was, if not the leading police agency in the area. Everyone looked to them..." (02:19)

The Incident Leading to Indictment

• In September 1995, Stephanie, as a K9 handler with a training officer, responded to a night-time mutual aid call with Takoma Park PD, regarding a commercial burglary in progress.
• Two suspects were observed breaking in—a typical scenario requiring K9 intervention.
  • "At some point, the Maryland state police helicopter flew over top and the two suspects started to run...I released my canine, and he made apprehension by biting and holding the suspect in his calf." (12:59)
• Both suspects were arrested, convicted for breaking and entering, and ultimately deported.
  • "There were no complaints by the suspects involved. They were arrested, they were charged and convicted. They served some jail time for the offense, and they were illegal aliens. They were both deported." (06:14)
• Use of force (deployment of a K9 on a fleeing suspect) was standard and policy-compliant at the time.
  • "Utilizing my canine was an appropriate response back in 1995." (07:19)
• No complaints or departmental concerns arose about the arrest at the time.

Federal Indictment and Prosecution

• Five years later—one day before the statute of limitations expired—Stephanie, her training officer, and another officer were indicted for federal civil rights violations (09/20/2000).
  • "Five years later, one day before the statute of limitations was to expire, I, along with my training officer and the arresting officer, were indicted..." (05:25)
• The indictment stemmed from a broader DOJ investigation into Takoma Park PD and certain supervisors—not from complaints about Stephanie’s conduct.
  • "We were indicted because the Department of Justice had been investigating the Takoma Park Police Department and a particular Tacoma park sergeant for issues that were not related to my incident." (16:37)
• Stephanie continued to serve and excel for five years after the incident before indictment, even becoming Prince George's County’s first bomb dog handler.

Trials and Conviction

First Trial

• Both Stephanie and her training officer were acquitted of one charge, with the jury deadlocked 11-1 in their favor on the other (essentially a hung jury).
  • "The jury acquitted me of one charge and hung me 11 to 1 in favor of acquittal...The arresting officer from Takoma park, the judge threw out the charges." (23:06)
• Despite this outcome, DOJ chose to retry both.

Second Trial

• The government brought witnesses back from El Salvador and federal prison in Texas to testify.
  • "The government went to San Salvador to find one of the witnesses...the second suspect was brought back from a federal prison in Texas." (26:25)
• Prosecution shifted strategy, introducing "prior bad acts" (previous use of force incidents) and painting Stephanie in a racially biased light.
  • "The government did not try the case according to the facts. It was just a political and a smear campaign...They played the race card and they painted me to be someone who would routinely sic her dog on minorities." (29:57)
• Stephanie was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in federal prison—four times the average sentence for such an offense for police that year.
  • "I received a 10 year sentence. My sentence was four times the average sentence for any officer that had been convicted of that that same year." (32:03)

Prison and Personal Impact

• Stephanie was sent to the Alderson federal prison camp in West Virginia, spending nearly 9 years incarcerated.
• The experience was deeply isolating and traumatic, compounded by separation from her young son.
  • "He was three years old when I had to leave him and surrender myself to federal prison...It was very surreal. Almost like you just could not believe it was happening." (33:22)
• Her faith, family, and community support were critical to survival.
  • "I definitely couldn't have survived without my faith, number one, my family and my friends." (34:11)

Life After Prison and Current Status

• Stephanie describes the challenge of restarting life with a felony conviction.
  • "When I got home from prison, I had to start over. And it was worse than starting over fresh out of college because I now had a felony conviction." (35:26)
• Nearly a decade after release, she has made significant progress rebuilding her life and reconnecting with her son, though she laments lost years.
• She receives a police pension, but is not considered retired—she resigned following conviction.
• She’s seeking a presidential pardon, represented by the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund (policedefense.org).
  • "The pardon would put an end to a long and difficult saga. It would right a wrong..." (37:29)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On the Night of the Incident:

  • Moore: "The arrest happened. It was a by-the-book arrest. There were no issues, no questions, no concerns about the arrest." (05:25)

• On DOJ Motivations:

  • Moore: "My case is definitely one of those cases where it shows how overzealous the Department of Justice can be, how they can manipulate facts and witnesses to fulfill an agenda..." (21:10)

• On Being Painted as a Villain:

  • Moore: "They played the race card and they painted me to be someone who would routinely sic her dog on minorities. That couldn't be farther from the truth." (29:57)

• Impact of Conviction:

  • Moore: "It was devastating. My. I had a two year old son at the time I was convicted...I missed his first day of school, his first loose tooth, his first sporting event." (33:22, 36:32)

• On Seeking a Pardon:

  • Moore: "A pardon would also restore one of the most valuable rights we have as citizens of the United States. It would restore my right to vote in a federal election... and allow me to travel to other countries." (37:29)

• Host’s View:

  • Wiley: "If I didn’t see the facts in front of me... I would never believe this could be possible. But it is possible. And it did happen to you." (20:57)
  • Wiley: "I think what happened to you is just absolutely horrible." (29:36)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:57–04:57: Stephanie's background and aspirations in law enforcement
• 07:19–14:51: Detailed account of the 1995 burglary arrest and use of the K9
• 15:35–17:02: The 5-year gap, continued police service, sudden indictment
• 21:10–22:53: DOJ's wider investigation and political aspects
• 23:06–25:36: First federal trial—acquittals and hung jury
• 29:57–32:03: Second trial tactics, change in prosecution, and conviction
• 33:22–35:26: Life in federal prison, impact on Stephanie and her son
• 35:26–37:29: Post-release challenges and reasons for seeking a pardon

Takeaways and Tone

• The episode conveys outrage at perceived prosecutorial overreach and empathy for Moore’s loss and trauma.
• It addresses the complexities and imperfections of the justice system when politics and external investigations intersect with individual police conduct.
• The mood is frank, emotional, and supportive, with both host and guest expressing disbelief at the outcome and its personal consequences.

Reference:
For more on Stephanie Moore’s case and the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund, visit policedefense.org.