Westnet Takes a Hit

Anyone thats got busted in western washington should recognize the name Roy Alloway. He was head of Westnet for about 5 years. Busted a lot of good people. But here is an example of the kind of officers that are busting people. The laws are just for us peasants.

C/P
Longtime Bremerton police officer pleads guilty to firearms, tax charges
By Kitsap Sun staff
Posted October 12, 2011 at 5:33 p.m., updated October 12, 2011 at 8:53 p.m.


Roy Alloway


TACOMA â?? Former Bremerton police officer Roy Alloway pleaded guilty Wednesday in U.S. District Court to unlawful dealing in firearms and filing a false income tax return, both felonies.

He faces up to five years in prison when sentenced Jan. 20 by U.S. District Judge Ronald B. Leighton.

Alloway, 56, of Bremerton, was a longtime Bremerton undercover narcotics detective. The North Kitsap High School graduate worked for both the West Sound Narcotics Enforcement team, a task force made up of officers from several local agencies, and Bremerton Police's Special Operations Group.

His 10 years at WestNET made him a well-known officer around the state, particularly for his work in marijuana eradication.

Alloway allegedly purchased nearly 400 guns from three different federally licensed firearms dealers between January 2005 and November 2010. Federal prosecutors said he sold pistols to undercover agents at gun shows without being properly licensed, for the purpose of making a profit.

His South Kitsap home was raided by federal agents in November 2010 as part of a sweep of several suspects accused of illegal gun sales around Western Washington.

He was indicted in May by a federal grand jury and was charged with one count of unlawfully dealing in firearms.

"As a police officer, Roy Alloway knew better than anyone the risks of distributing firearms without background checks or sales records," U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan said. "His attempt to hide the income from this illegal activity demonstrates he knew what he was doing was wrong."

Alloway retired in May 2010 after 32 years as a police officer.

Between 2007 and 2010, he deposited cash, checks and money orders in his bank account totaling about $192,000, but didn't declare the income on his tax returns.

As part of the plea agreement, Alloway will pay all back taxes and forfeit 58 firearms to the government that were taken in the raid of his house.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.


Asked for a comment on the case, Bremerton Mayor Patty Lent said, "I'm surprised at the outcome."

The mayor said his benefits are administered by the state and federal governments, so she couldn't say how those would be affected.

Lent said the city itself should not be affected by the guilty plea. "He's retired. It was a case brought by the federal government. It doesn't really have anything to do with the city," she said.

Alloway's attorney, Bob Goldsmith, could not be reached for comment.