A Baltimore City police detective pleaded guilty Tuesday to stealing $10,000 in confidential-informant funds while assigned to a federal drug task force, lying to colleagues and stealing a broken diamond watch during a raid, according to federal prosecutors.
Mark J. Lunsford, 40, of Sykesville used an informant's name on drug cases in which he was not involved, then recommended that he be paid bonuses for any arrests and convictions, according to his guilty plea announced by the Maryland U.S. Attorney's office.
Authorities said the informant then shared the bonus money with Lunsford, who was part of a DEA task force. The allegations were made by a confidential informant cooperating with federal agents. As part of his plea agreement, Lunsford agreed to the forfeiture of $46,600 and is required to resign from the Police Department within 30 days of his plea. Lunsford faces up to 15 years in prison.
His sentencing is scheduled for June 30.