DEA Agent Accused of Selling Data

A federal Drug Enforcement Administration agent has been indicted on charges of bribery and fraud for allegedly selling confidential law enforcement records to a San Dimas private investigative firm, it was disclosed Monday .

Emilio Calatayud, 34, a 12-year DEA veteran, surrendered to authorities Friday night and was ordered released on $100,000 bond after a hearing before a federal magistrate Monday.

Calatayud is accused of receiving at least $22,580 in cash between 1993 and 1999 for providing Triple Check Investigative Services of San Dimas with information he obtained by accessing criminal databases operated by the DEA, the FBI and the California attorney general.

According to the 11-count indictment, Calatayud charged Triple Check $60 to $80 for every individual criminal history he downloaded from the law enforcement computer files.

Triple Check was not charged in the indictment. Assistant U.S. Atty. Rebecca S. Lonergan declined to say whether the firm is cooperating with investigators or is under investigation. The business’ owner did not return phone calls seeking comment.

“The sale of confidential information by a member of a law enforcement agency jeopardizes the viability of criminal investigations, threatens the safety of members of the public and undermines the integrity of our entire law enforcement community,” U.S. Atty. Alejandro N. Mayorkas said in a statement.

Calatayud had been under investigation since 1999 when he was placed on paid administrative leave. With the filing of criminal charges, he is now suspended without pay.

“This is a guy who’s never been in trouble before,” defense lawyer Douglas E. McCann said before Monday’s bail hearing.

Magistrate Stephen J. Hillman ordered Calatayud placed under “intense” pretrial supervision and set his formal arraignment for next Monday.