Ex-North Texas Officer Admits Tipping Off Dealer

Officer Thomas Kantzos faces federal charges for provided confidential information to a known drug dealer. (credit: Arlington Police Dept.)

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — A former North Texas police officer has pleaded guilty to passing unauthorized information to a drug dealer who authorities say gave him and other officers anabolic steroids.

Thomas Kantzos of Fort Worth entered his plea in federal court Tuesday to exceeding access to a protected computer. Kantzos, an 18-year veteran with the Arlington Police Department, was fired after his arrest in June.

The 45-year-old faces a prison sentence of up to five years in prison and a fine not to exceed $250,000.

Prosecutors say in December 2011 the dealer believed he was being monitored by law enforcement and asked Kantzos to run a license plate number. Kantzos then forwarded his findings to the dealer.

Prosecutors contend the dealer sold steroids to Kantzos and other Arlington officers.

His sentencing is scheduled for February 12.

(©2013 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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