Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Former Chief of Longwood Police Department Indicted
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Thomas S. Jackson (57, Longwood) and Samer S. Majzoub (53, Heathrow) with one count of conspiracy and three counts of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds. If convicted, each faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison for the conspiracy count and ten years’ imprisonment for each bribery count. Jackson was arrested last week in Ashville, North Carolina. He made his initial appearance in the Western District of North Carolina on September 19, 2014, and was released on a bond.
Jackson was the Chief of the Longwood Police Department from 1997 to May 28, 2010.
According to the indictment, between October 2007 and the date of Jackson’s retirement from the Longwood Police Department, Majzoub paid Jackson more than $30,000 in bribes, in six different payments. The payments ranged from $3,700 to $6,200. In return, Jackson appointed Majzoub as an officer with the Longwood Police Department. Jackson also gave Majzoub the supervisory titles of Commander, Lieutenant, and Sergeant, and provided Majzoub with badges and credentials that represented him as an officer of the Longwood Police Department. Majzoub is a convicted felon. As a result of his prior federal felony conviction, Majzoub is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Under Florida law, a convicted felon is not eligible to be employed or appointed as a law enforcement officer.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Longwood Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg.
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