Ex-Policeman Faces Drug-Planting Charges

A former Los Angeles police officer is expected to surrender today on charges that he planted cocaine on an undercover officer while assigned to the northwest San Fernando Valley, authorities said Wednesday.

Frederick Charles Fleming, 46, who resigned from the department in September during an investigation of the case, is charged with preparing false documentary evidence, possession of cocaine and false imprisonment, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Joseph D. Shidler of the Special Investigations Division.

Fleming, a 21-year veteran of the force, agreed to surrender to authorities today for arraignment. If convicted of the felony charges, Fleming could face 4 1/2 years in prison, Shidler said.

Shidler said that during an Internal Affairs sting operation Sept. 14, Fleming was videotaped stopping two undercover officers who were posing as a drug dealer and buyer in an undisclosed neighborhood in the northwest Valley, where Fleming was assigned to the Devonshire Division.

The two Internal Affairs officers were searched by supervisors before being stopped by Fleming, Shidler said. But after Fleming placed his cupped hand into the pants pocket of one of the officers, he brought it out with a packet of cocaine, Shidler said.

Fleming resigned from the Police Department after learning of the sting operation, Shidler said.