NEWS

A Look Back: Rogue Jacksonville cops killed for money, then they were brought to justice

Cherri Pitzer
Florida Times-Union
Victim Sami Safar, who was murdered by Jacksonville police officer Karl Waldon during a botched robbery on July 3, 1998.
Victim Sami Safar, who was murdered by Jacksonville police officer Karl Waldon during a botched robbery on July 3, 1998.
File Photo
Nov. 15, 2000: Former Jacksonville police officer Karl Waldon.
Nov. 15, 2000: Former Jacksonville police officer Karl Waldon.
File Photo
Sept. 26, 2000: JSO officer Jason Pough leaving a federal grand jury hearing.
Sept. 26, 2000: JSO officer Jason Pough leaving a federal grand jury hearing.
John Pemberton/Florida TImes-Union
Jan. 18, 2001: Former Jacksonville police officer Karl Waldon, right, leaves the Federal Courthouse in Jacksonville after an initial hearing on charges ranging from homicide to robbery and other crimes.
Jan. 18, 2001: Former Jacksonville police officer Karl Waldon, right, leaves the Federal Courthouse in Jacksonville after an initial hearing on charges ranging from homicide to robbery and other crimes.
Will Dickey/Florida Times-Union
Jan. 18, 2001: James Swift Jr., brother-in-law of Karl Waldon, a former Jacksonville police officer, leaves the Federal Courthouse in Jacksonville after an initial hearing on charges ranging from homicide to robberies and other crimes.
Jan. 18, 2001: James Swift Jr., brother-in-law of Karl Waldon, a former Jacksonville police officer, leaves the Federal Courthouse in Jacksonville after an initial hearing on charges ranging from homicide to robberies and other crimes.
Will Dickey/Florida Times-Union
Jan. 18, 2001: Attorney Paul Perez (left) walks into the courthouse with his client, JSO officer Jason Pough.
Jan. 18, 2001: Attorney Paul Perez (left) walks into the courthouse with his client, JSO officer Jason Pough.
Crista Jeremiason/Florida Times-Union
Sept. 6, 2001: Former JSO officer Aric Sinclair is lead out of the Federal Courthouse after changing his plea on charges stemming from the murder of Sami Safar, robberies and drug trafficking.
Sept. 6, 2001: Former JSO officer Aric Sinclair is lead out of the Federal Courthouse after changing his plea on charges stemming from the murder of Sami Safar, robberies and drug trafficking.
Bob Self/Florida Times-Union
Sept. 6, 2001: Attorney Mark Rosenblum, left, escorts Cleveland Sinclair, the father of Aric Sinclair, as he leaves the Federal Courthouse after Sinclair changed his plea on charges he faced stimming from the murder of Sami Safar, robberies and drug trafficking.
Sept. 6, 2001: Attorney Mark Rosenblum, left, escorts Cleveland Sinclair, the father of Aric Sinclair, as he leaves the Federal Courthouse after Sinclair changed his plea on charges he faced stimming from the murder of Sami Safar, robberies and drug trafficking.
Bob Self/Florida Times-Union
April 18, 2002: James Battle, 21 at the time of this photo, did 14 months in jail due to an arrest and conviction involving corrupted Jacksonville police officers Aric Sinclair, Karl Waldon and Jason Pough. The charges were vacated after the corruption came to light but Battle still did the time, frustrated that no one would believe his story.
April 18, 2002: James Battle, 21 at the time of this photo, did 14 months in jail due to an arrest and conviction involving corrupted Jacksonville police officers Aric Sinclair, Karl Waldon and Jason Pough. The charges were vacated after the corruption came to light but Battle still did the time, frustrated that no one would believe his story.
File Photo
Sept. 25, 2002: Former Jacksonville police officer Karl Waldon, center, is escorted from the Federal Courthouse in downtown Jacksonville by U. S. Marshalls after a pre-trial hearing before his murder trial begins.
Sept. 25, 2002: Former Jacksonville police officer Karl Waldon, center, is escorted from the Federal Courthouse in downtown Jacksonville by U. S. Marshalls after a pre-trial hearing before his murder trial begins.
Will Dickey/Florida Times-Union
Sept. 25, 2002: Former Jacksonville police officer Karl Waldon, center, is escorted from the Federal Courthouse in downtown Jacksonville by U. S. Marshalls after a pre-trial hearing before his murder trial begins.
Sept. 25, 2002: Former Jacksonville police officer Karl Waldon, center, is escorted from the Federal Courthouse in downtown Jacksonville by U. S. Marshalls after a pre-trial hearing before his murder trial begins.
Will Dickey/Florida Times-Union
Undated: Jacksonville Sheriff ' s Office mugshot of Karl Waldon.
Undated: Jacksonville Sheriff's Office mugshot of Karl Waldon.
File Photo
Oct. 15, 2002: Former JSO deputy Karl Waldon (in red) leaves the Federal Courthouse under escort by U.S. Marshals.
Oct. 15, 2002: Former JSO deputy Karl Waldon (in red) leaves the Federal Courthouse under escort by U.S. Marshals.
Michael C. Weimar/Florida Times-Union
Nov. 6, 2002: Former Jacksonville Sheriff Nat Glover, talks to the media following the verdict of former police officer Karl Waldon, saying it was a sad day but would not comment anymore.
Nov. 6, 2002: Former Jacksonville Sheriff Nat Glover, talks to the media following the verdict of former police officer Karl Waldon, saying it was a sad day but would not comment anymore.
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Nov. 6, 2002: U.S. Attorney Jim Klindt exits the Federal Courthouse after hearing the verdict of guilty on all but one count of possesion with intent to distribute crack cocaine in the case against Karl Waldon, former JSO narcotics detective.
Nov. 6, 2002: U.S. Attorney Jim Klindt exits the Federal Courthouse after hearing the verdict of guilty on all but one count of possesion with intent to distribute crack cocaine in the case against Karl Waldon, former JSO narcotics detective.
John Pemberton/Florida Times-Union
Nov. 6, 2002: Defense attorneys for Karl Waldon leave the federal courthouse after hearing the verdict of guilty on all but one count, of a 15 count indictment, agasinst the former JSO narcotics detective. The attorneys had no comment as the trial is still continuing until the penalty phase.
Nov. 6, 2002: Defense attorneys for Karl Waldon leave the federal courthouse after hearing the verdict of guilty on all but one count, of a 15 count indictment, agasinst the former JSO narcotics detective. The attorneys had no comment as the trial is still continuing until the penalty phase.
John Pemberton/Florida Times-Union
Nov. 6, 2002: The brother of Sami Safar ran to his car and did not comment after hearing the verdict against former JSO narcotics detective Karl Waldon. Waldon wa found guilty on all but one of the 15 counts in the indictment.
Nov. 6, 2002: The brother of Sami Safar ran to his car and did not comment after hearing the verdict against former JSO narcotics detective Karl Waldon. Waldon wa found guilty on all but one of the 15 counts in the indictment.
John Pemberton/Florida Times-Union
Nov. 6, 2002: Former JSO Officer Karl Waldon (red shirt, in cuffs) is escorted away from the Federal Courthouse in Jacksonville by U.S. Marshals after a jury found him guilty on the majority of the 15 counts in the indictment including the murder of Sami Safar, in July 1998.
Nov. 6, 2002: Former JSO Officer Karl Waldon (red shirt, in cuffs) is escorted away from the Federal Courthouse in Jacksonville by U.S. Marshals after a jury found him guilty on the majority of the 15 counts in the indictment including the murder of Sami Safar, in July 1998.
Bob Mack/Florida Times-Union
Nov. 13, 2002: Former JSO officer Karl Waldon was back in Federal Court in Jacksonville as the jury decided that the death penalty would not be approved in the slaying of Sami Safar. The Judge was expected to sentence Waldon in January. He faced a mandatory life term. A press conference was held at the U.S. Attorney ' s Office with then Jacksonville Sheriff Nat Glover, left, and James R. Klindt, right, First Assistant U.S. Attorney, Middle District of Florida.
Nov. 13, 2002: Former JSO officer Karl Waldon was back in Federal Court in Jacksonville as the jury decided that the death penalty would not be approved in the slaying of Sami Safar. The Judge was expected to sentence Waldon in January. He faced a mandatory life term. A press conference was held at the U.S. Attorney's Office with then Jacksonville Sheriff Nat Glover, left, and James R. Klindt, right, First Assistant U.S. Attorney, Middle District of Florida.
File Photo
Nov. 13, 2002: Former JSO officer Karl Waldon ' s mother, Earlene Waldon, right, walks away from the courthouse with a woman said to be a relative.
Nov. 13, 2002: Former JSO officer Karl Waldon's mother, Earlene Waldon, right, walks away from the courthouse with a woman said to be a relative.
Bob Mack/ Florida Times-Union
Nov. 13, 2002: Karl Waldon's father Charles Waldon, right, talks to the media outside the courthouse.
Nov. 13, 2002: Karl Waldon's father Charles Waldon, right, talks to the media outside the courthouse.
Bob Mack/The Florida Times-Union
Nov. 13, 2002: Karl Waldon's defense attorney, A. Russell Smith, talks to the media after the decision.
Nov. 13, 2002: Karl Waldon's defense attorney, A. Russell Smith, talks to the media after the decision.
Bob Mack/Florida TImes-Union
Jan . 27, 2003: Former Jacksonville Sheriffs Officer Karl Waldon arrives, escorted and guarded, at the Federal Courthouse for sentencing.
Jan . 27, 2003: Former Jacksonville Sheriffs Officer Karl Waldon arrives, escorted and guarded, at the Federal Courthouse for sentencing.
John Pemberton/Florida Times-Union
Jan . 27, 2003: Former Jacksonville police officer Karl Waldon was sentenced to four life terms in a three-year crime spree that included the slaying of businessman Sami Safar. He is currently serving out his sentence in a federal prison.
Jan . 27, 2003: Former Jacksonville police officer Karl Waldon was sentenced to four life terms in a three-year crime spree that included the slaying of businessman Sami Safar. He is currently serving out his sentence in a federal prison.
File Photo