lunsford was accused of stealing expensive jewelry during some searches including a diamond watch. so federal agents conducted a raid of his home to search for the items. perhaps even bigger concern is that lunsford was also allegedly working within form antis to steal reward money on some cases. >> the scheme was essentially that detective lunsford would put in a claim, claiming the source had provided information to dea and was due a reward and detective lunsford split the money with the source. >>reporter: now if convicted on all charges lunsford could face up to 20 years in a federal prison. in the mean time he's been placed on a home monitoring system and he has been suspended which the baltimore city police department. they will be conducting their own internal affairs investigation. live from the federal courthouse in baltimore, fox 45 news at 5:30. >>> pasadena man arrested on child pornography charges. 30-year-old scott ferguson turned himself in to state police. caught with dozens of video and pictures of children on his computer. if convicted ferguson could very well get

detective mark lunsford a cop more than 15 years and until recently assigned to a special drug force task that worked with federal agents. but a few months ago he became a suspect himself. >> the investigation began in june of this year when a confidential source came to the fbi and reported alleged corruption by detective lunsford. >> he is accused of stealing reward money intended to be paid out for information leading to the arrest of drug dealers. >> the allegation is that the scheme was essentially that detective lunsford would put in a claim, claiming that the source had provided information to dea and was due a reward. and that the detective lunsford then split the money with the source. >> also facing charges of threat. he is accused of stealing watches, clothing and play stations from crime scenes, or searchers. and agents they search for in his own home. case that is concerning for police and prosecutors. >> the allegations represent a egregious violation. >> lunsford is now on home detention as he awaits trial. and city officials say he is off the job. >> because he was ch

the fbi got a tip back in june that lunsford was taking kickbacks on reward money supposed to be for informants. >> the allegation is that the scheme was essentially that detective lunsford would put in a claim, claiming the source had provided information to dea and was due a reward. and that detective lunsford then split the money with the source. >> authorities say he also stole items like diamond watches, play stations and clothes from crime scenes. or during searches. his own home was recently searched by federal agents. lunsford is on home detention and suspend from the are duty. >> baltimore city schools taking precautionary measures after the first confirmed case of swine flu in school. female student at mont bellow elementary jr. academy has h1n1. she is being treated at the university of maryland medical center. there are reports that she is in critical condition. the city health department said the school will be thoroughly cleaned and remind students about basic hygiene. that can help prevent the spread of the virus. >> humans worried about the swine flu now get ready for

. >> reporter: mark lunsford was a 20-year veteran and worked for the drug task force. federal prosecutors tell us that dozens of d.e.a. cases and city drug arrests could be in jeopardy because of his alleged corruption. allegations of dirty cops rock the baltimore city police department once again. >> there's always a bad apple in the bunch and i think what's important is our commitment to holding people accountable. >> reporter: first it was officers murray and king who are serving 450 years in federal prison for robbing drug dealers at gunpoint. now mark lunsford is accused of stealing from the homes of drug dealers and taking kickbacks. >> i think the similarity is the egregious abuse of trust. >> reporter: federal prosecutors say he stole clothes, cash, even $18,000 diamond watch during drug arrests. they allege he worked as a task offerser for the dea and entered into a corrupt relationship with an f.b.i. informant. >> he provided misinformation, arranged for dea to provide rewards for the cooperation. >> reporter: out of the money paid out to him, he took kickbac

detective mark lunsford is accused of stealing from drug dealer's homes. the fbi arrested the detective after the informant secretly recorded conversations. lunsford, who worked as a task force officer with the drug enforcement administration allegedly lied to the dia in order to get the money. >> it is always a bad and until the bunch. i think what's important is our commitment to holding people accountable. >> my hope that people will recognize that the majority of law enforcement officers they deal with on a daily basis are honer inable money and women. >> it is alleged lunsford may have used city money to carry out the plot. he is on house arrest and will be back in court october 14th. >>> a traffic heads up for you this morning. you have probably heard kim brown mention this or maybe she is twittering about it. streets in mount vernon are blocked off for the baltimore book festival. this happens every year. the event kicks off today at noon. it is free and fun. "good morning america" work place contributor tory johnson will be there sharing advice fro

john couey, the man who rained and murdered 9-year-old jessica lunsford in 2005 died in prison. the case changed the way sex offenders were dealt with, not only in florida where it happened but throughout the country. he was a convicted sex offender, believed at the time that he held her captive over the weekend before murdering that 9-year-old little girl who was taken from her family's home and taken to his trailer home, about 100 years from where the family lived. but right now, working to get more details on how john couey died in prize bun the official word is that that man who murdered 9-year-old jessica lunsford has died in a florida prison. >>> on to the big picture right now, a big defeat for republicans on health care legislation today. the senate finance committee voted 13-10 against two anti-abortion amendments this morning, one that would restrict federal funding for abortions, the other that would have strengthened legal protection for health care officials who refuse to perform abortion. there was an emotional and at times personal debate between republican senato

>> reporter: mark lunsford was arrested by the fbi last night.faces three felony charges of false claims, false statements and theft of property. this basically is an officer authorities say who shook down drug dealers and took kickbacks. his arrest though came thanks to an fbi source who recorded conversations. according to the affidavit lunsford who was also working with the drug enforcement agency task force got into a corrupt relationship with the source and paid that person $9,000 in dea money, $4,500 he took as a kickback for himself.

. >> reporter: the man convicted of kidnapping, raping and burying the body of jessica lunsford has died. prizeon officials say john couey died of natural causes. he was convicted and sentenced to death in 2007. police say he had been ill for sometime, but they cannot give further information. >> reporter: couey was convicted of kidnapping jessica lunsford from her bedroom. many states have imposed stricter laws. >>> there is a fall chill in the air. but it's gorgeous. as you can see, blue skies. some clouds. wjz has weather and traffic together. bob is here first with the updated numbers from first warning weather. bob? >> it's a cool afternoon. a few clouds and maybe a couple of areas got sprinkles. the showers are to our south now. take a look at the radar. we're at 64 degrees. and northwest winds, still blowing around 14. down to the south. all of this activity, quickly moving to the lower eastern shore. around easton and cambridge. and it will be through in about 30 minutes. look out for quick showers. leonardtown, pax river. you're going to see rain. there you see it, extreme south

mark lunsford is a 16-year veteran assigned to a joint task force. court documents allege he took money intended for an informant even though he gave no information. >> police are investigating an accident involving an off-duty officer. sky team 11 was over the scene today. authorities said the officer was driving his personal vehicle when he suddenly lost control. no word on his condition and his identity has not been released. >> a plan to save millions of dollars without layoffs or furloughs. jayne miller has that story. >> everyone agrees that the public would notice the layoffs and furloughs, but how much and what is the alternative? government furloughs usually mean an agency closes for the day, but not so for city -- for fire and police departments. >> we don't want to compromise our role in responding to 911 calls in the city. >> the union president is trying to hold the city to a no- furlough clause. the union relies on a new estimate of how difficult and costly and actual police furlough will be. there are 1300 officers spread out and vario

. >> it is alleged lunsford may have used city money to carry out the corrupt plot. the 20 year veteran has been suspended without pay. >>> a man who came to this baltimore fire station for help only to fine it empty is dead. the members of the engine company 52 left the station minutes before to take equipment in for maintenance. the spokesperson says the state of procedure for all members of the company is to travel together. they were called out to the station several times a day. >> i'm not aware of rules we have that dictates that someone must be in the station at all times. when a company is manned it has to be staffed by four individuals. >> the veteran firefighter tells abc 2 news the department needs to change this policy. rescue crews from two other stations did respond but the man died after being taken to the hospital. >>> today not a normal ticket day at mariner arena. bruce springstein tickets are going on sale for the november show. tickets are expected to saleout fast. linda is downtown talking to die-hard fans braving the weather. >> reporter: hey, w

abc 2 news is working on for you this morning. 39-year-old baltimore county police detective mark lunsford from stealing from drug dealers homes and getting kick backs after a payment. the fbi arrested the detective after they recorded secret conversation. he works as a task officer with the drug enforcement agency to get the money. >>> a 13-year-old baltimore girl is in intensive care this morning with the h1n1. virus in the 8th grade in northeast baltimore. she got sick in school on monday. baltimore sun says the girl was getting stronger yesterday. school system statement said the building will be thoroughly cleaned and according to the health department procedures are in place. >>> cut in california charles manson follower susan atkins who admitted killing actress sharon state 41 years ago has died. atkins who suffered from brain cancer had been in hospice care. >>> judge ruth bader ginsburg is in stable health. she was given fluids and take on the the hospital as a precaution. >>> this been will be a busy one if you are a horse racing fan and one of the big events is the 24th annual m

arranged for the informant to get payments for the information then give give half the money to lunsford. >> i hope people will recognize that we're on the job and the majority of the police officers you zeal with on a daily basis are honorable men and women who are just as upset about this as we are. >> baltimore city fire and police told to work out with officials. officials want $8 million trimmed from the budget but the chief says at least $5 million can be saved without if you are lowes or layoffs. >> if we can take compensatory time or overtime until the furlough plan ends and when it ends we would expect this stops as well and would protect our younger officers from being laid off and more importantly it keeps the cops on the street for the taxpayer. >> there are 1,300 patrol officers. >> a man arrived at engineer 52 fire house at 7:42 tuesday morning and the staff members on duty left the fire house to have equipment repaired 10 minutes earlier and someone called 911 and the man was taken to mount sinai hospital where the man was pronounced dead. >> baltimore county schools a stu

. >> reporter: we can tell you there's also a claim that lunsford used some baltimore city money, perhaps grant money, that the city may have received in order to carry out this corrupt scheme of his. the officer was with the baltimore city police department for 20 years. tonight he's suspended without pay. much more from police and more from the u.s. attorney later tonight at 11:00. for now, live outside of baltimore city police headquarters, delia goncalves, abc2 news. >> thank you. >>> we are following yet another developing story tonight. baltimore city fire officials now investigating the death of a man who was trying to get medical attention at a local fire station. abc2 news christian schaffer joins us live from engine 52 at woodbrook and liberty heights avenue. >> reporter: it's not clear what was wrong with the man or what he died from. we do know he came here tuesday morning looking for help with -- but engine 52 and its crew weren't here. they were out having maintenance done on their oxygen mafntion. the city's fire houses are not emergency rooms. crews leave, they have fire c

after it -- jessica lunsford. >> officials in florida are considering criminal charges against a brouwer county spot after a medical procedure landed a woman in a coma. relatives claim that the 37- year-old nurse and mother of three went to the spa for what she thought was a straightforward liposuction procedure, but somehow stop reading. report showed she had no pulse and was unresponsive, and now her family is trying to find out what happened. but a healthy 37-year-old woman should not go win for the top of procedures they advertise on their website and the legally declared brain dead three days later. that is not normal, and it should not have happened. >> the florida department of health is looking into whether the spot was performing at a procedures -- performing medical procedures that it was not licensed to perform. >> john travolta told the court room both have pleaded not guilty. >> still to come, they are very popular destinations to live and work for recent college graduates. experts rank the top 10 cities in the u.s. >> starbucks has unveiled its brand of instant coffee. wher

his home was recently searched by agents and lunsford is in home detention and has been suspended fromuty. >>> officials plan to meet at walker and glen moore avenues to unveil the 4 of 51 cameras that will go up around the city. this particular camera is located by glen mont elementary school. the use of cameras school zones goes into effect october first. offenders will receive a $40 ticket. >>> when it started facebook was exclusive to college kids, but now it boasts more than 300 million users of all ages, including many baby boomers who are eager to use the ins and outs of social network. samantha hayes has more from washington. >> you want to go to www.facebook.com. in the world of face continuing education, you might surprised to see facebook for boomers under the list of offerings burketts in this washington d.c. classroom, every seat is taken. >> it's for family and photos, and then i would like to learn how to use this professionally as a fundraiser, too. >> i would like to know more about the security aspects of it before i start signing up. >> reporter: all good questions a

the florida man who kidnapped, raped and buried 9-year-old jessica lunsford alive back in 2005, he is florida prisoner officials say john evander couey passed away today of natural causes at a hospital in jacksonville. a source close to the case tells our sister network, cnn, the 51-year-old had been ill for quite some time. in 2007 couey was sentenced to die by lethal injection. his attorneys had filed an appeal and supposed to go before a judge on november 3rd to present their arguments. >>> actor john travolta has finished testifying in an extortion trial. in his testimony today, travolta described the circumstances surrounding the death of his son, jett. 16. he explained about a call he got from a friend in the bahamas. the friend had heard about a man who said he had a piece of paper that would make the actor responsible in his son's death. he said the man wanted $25 million for that paper. and the suspect in the case are a paramedicic, lightbourne. had asked if contacted him directly. travolta said, nop his 16-year-old son dpriied of a seizure. >>> confirmed a small airplane has

lunsford saturday task force. >>> working on a deal. baltimore city and the police officers union begin contract talks. this comes as thousands of other workers begin taking furloughs to make up a major budget deficit. derek valcourt is live with the investigation. and what both sides are hoping for. >> reporter: both sides are going to have to go through a complex negotiation. they, at the same time. to talk about their union contracts. and those city budget cuts. both sides, at least agree that layoffs would make the city a lot less safe. >> reporter: police and firefighters say their contracts protect them from the mandatory city employee furloughs. so mayor dixon wants both groups to cut their share. $2.9 million for the fire department. or face layoffs. >> they're very open to finding out how to meet those numbers if we could come together and discuss it. . >> i thought it made sense. we get to the table and begin regulating the other contracts. they can be brought as a package to our membership to vote up or vote down. >> and that

mark lunsford was a task force officer for the dea trafficking. read a criminal complaint alleges that the 16-year veteran received items including clothing from a person who have just been arrested. he has not been convicted of a crime and is scheduled to be back in court next month. >> we will be clearing by this afternoon, variably cloudy, seventies, right where we should be read the breeze is helping to get the humidity out of here. we have an issue. the front as god to slide to our south but reemerged tomorrow. -- fred is going to slide to our south but reemerged tomorrow. it will get through here saturday night. cooler than normal tomorrow. >> thank you, and thank you for joining us. we bought another update at 9:55. 9:55. the art of getting clean salsa doesn't stand a chance against the power of wisk®. wisk®. powerfully clean. perfectly priced. ♪ when somebody needs you, it's no good unless he needs you all the way ♪ >>> we're talking harry connick jr., out once again with a new album. he's going to be here to celebrate that with a live per

john cue which, who was convicted of killing 9-year-old jessica lunsford in 2005, remember, she had beenong time and finally found her body stuffed in a black garbage bag, buried alive, john cue which has died in prison. cameron and david will have more on that death. john cku couey dead in prison. more after a quick break here. you know me. almost 30 years behind the sports desk has turned me into somebody larger than life, literally. but those days are back-back-back-back-back gone! i'm chris berman, and i lost 41 pounds with nutrisystem. get results with nutrisystem for men. i tried to lose weight, i really did, but nothing worked. so i called the coach, don shula. he didn't need any game film. he said, "berman, you need nutrisystem for men. you lose weight by eating great-tasting meals." another great call by the coach. just order nutrisystem for men today to get four weeks of awesome food, and learn how to get three extra weeks free. putting on the weight is easy, but with nutrisystem, losing weight is even easier. the secret is the glycemic advantage, a science that separates good

. >> reporter: mark lunsford's daughter jessica was raped and killed in 2005 by a convicted sex offendersex offender registry isn't going to keep your kids safe. >> are you living next to a sex offender? at the national sex offender public website, you can find out. i put in the address of where i grew up in miami and found out there are 100 offenders living within five miles of my childhood home. nationally there are more than 600,000 sex offenders. some believe a problem that big demands a tougher approach. >> and according to the group family watchdog, which tracks sex offenders by state, the typical sex predator will assault 117 times before being caught. maggie? >> beyond disturbing. thank you. >>> joining us right now is a victim of phillip garrido. nearly 33 years ago, catherine callaway hall was abducted and raped by him. thank you for being here. >> thank you for having me. >> most of us just heard this name for the first time a couple of days ago. but this is a name and a face that has haunted your nightmares for 33 years. you were watching tv last week, you hear his name you s

couey had been on death row for abducting and murdering 9-year-old jessica lunsford four years ago, one of the most revolting cases in memory. he didn't just murder her. he buried this beautiful, innocent little child alive. he was on death row but he died before he could be executed. you could call that nature's version of justice. that's tonight's "top of the block." >>> explosive new developments at nypd cop allegedly drives drunk and smashes his car into a woman, knocking her high into the air and killing her. it is a big story on the cover of "the new york post" and "the new york daily news." take a look at the headlines. now, "the post" says cop dui plot. "the daily news" says no booze in blood. and they are right. tonight, the stunning results of officer andrew kelly's blood alcohol test. it was a big, fat zero. in fact, it was triple zeros. he had no alcohol in his system, zip, nada. why? could it have anything to do with the fact that cops waited more than seven hours after the crash to test their fellow cop's blood? you think? could there perhaps be a connection? authorities s