Former cop pleads guilty to sex crimes

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - A suspended Niagara Falls Police officer, charged with committing sex crimes, has taken a plea deal.

Prosecutors describe 28-year-old Ryan Warme as a drug dealer in a police uniform after the Niagara Falls cop pleaded guilty to narcotics, weapons, and civil rights charges in U.S. District Court. A federal grand jury originally indicted Warme on ten counts of sexually assaulting women in his custody, possessing a firearm while committing a drug trafficking crime, and conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

Warme pleaded guilty to three of those counts. Warme also admitted buying and selling drugs while on duty and wearing the uniform of a Niagara Falls Police officer and tipping off other drug dealers about pending drug raids. A tough day for Niagara Falls Police because Warme's father is a retired Niagara Falls Police Captain and his brother is also on the force.

U.S. Attorney for WNY William Hochul said, "Just admitted as a police officer to tipping off fellow drug dealers and attacking a woman, all while wearing a uniform. Absolutely outrageous behavior."

"I am sickened by the actions of Mr. Warme that he would not only jeopardize members of the Niagara Falls Police Department, but his own brother and destroy the reputation of his father," said Niagara Falls Police Superintendent John Chella.

Ryan Warme faces a prison sentence of at least ten years when he's sentenced by Judge Richard Arcara in August.