City detective pleads guilty to stealing from department

Officer embezzled from confidential-informant fund

A Baltimore City police detective pleaded guilty Tuesday to stealing $10,000 in confidential-informant funds while assigned to a federal drug task force, lying to colleagues and stealing a broken diamond watch during a raid, according to federal prosecutors.

Mark J. Lunsford, 40, of Sykesville, used an informant's name on drug cases in which he was not involved, then recommend that he be paid bonuses for any arrests and convictions, according to his guilty plea announced by the Maryland U.S. Attorney's office. Authorities said the informant then shared the bonus money with Lunsford, who was part of a DEA task force.

As part of his plea agreement, Lunsford agreed to the forfeiture of $46,600 and he is required to resign from the police department within 30 days of his plea.

Lunsford faces up to 15 years in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for June 30.

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