Sinisa Simic, 25, was one of three officers arrested in November as part of a wide-ranging corruption probe into Prince George’s County that led to the arrest of out-going County Executive Jack Johnson. Prosecutors said Simic used his gun and badge for cover as he drove loads of cocaine and contraband cigarettes across the Northeast.

He faces a sentence of five to 60 years in prison.

Officer who killed motorist fired

The Fairfax County police officer who fatally shot an unarmed motorist in November 2009 has been fired for improperly using deadly force, police confirmed Tuesday.

Officer Tawny Wright, a police spokeswoman, said Officer David Ziants was dismissed on May 6 after an internal investigation found that he was “not in compliance with departmental policies” when he shot and killed David Masters.

Police were trying to stop Masters’ vehicle while investigating a theft case. When Masters’ car continued to move forward. Ziants said he thought Masters had a gun and so the officer fired.

Wright said officers can only use deadly force if they believe there is an “imminent threat” of death or serious injury.

Body identified through knee replacements

Investigators have identified the man found during a search for a missing teenager through an unusual source: his knee replacements.

Maryland State Police said the man whose body was found near slain 16-year-old Phylicia Barnes has been identified as 55-year-old John Hagegeorge, of Catonsville.

His body was found at Patapsco Valley State Park in April, when authorities found Barnes’ body.

Hagegeorge died of natural causes, police said. A state police trooper used the serial numbers on his knee replacements to find the hospital that performed the surgery and identify Hagegeorge as the patient.

– Emily Babay and Scott McCabe