Breitbart–

A California narcotics officer arrested in May for suspected ties with the Mexican Mafia and Armenian organized crime is now facing additional charges after federal prosecutors filed one count each of soliciting a bribe, obstructing justice by helping a contact avoid arrest, and making false statements to investigators.

The new charges were reported by the Los Angeles Times. The additional charges signal that sides are negotiating a plea deal.

John Saro Balian, 45, a veteran police officer and a former spokesman for the Glendale Police Department, was identified as a person of interest by the FBI’s Eurasian Organized Crime Task Force, which was probing ties between the Mexican Mafia and Armenian organized crime. He was taken into custody without incident at his home on May 15. According to Paul Delacourt, assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office, “Mr. Balian moved in criminal circles and operated as though he was above the law by repeatedly lying to hide his criminal activity,” and further said “His alleged actions impeded legitimate investigations into organized violent crime and consequently presented a threat to public safety.”

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