Federal agent in Va. Pleads guilty to 5 felonies

RICHMOND, Va. – Authorities say a federal agent in an undercover tobacco investigation who took cigarettes and firearms in the course of his duties has pleaded guilty to five charges.

The government said Clifford Dean Posey, who had worked with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, entered his plea Monday in federal court in Richmond to charges including wire fraud, embezzlement and possessing or receiving stolen firearms.

Posey was a Norfolk special agent. Authorities say he stole cigarettes and sold them, retained the proceeds and failed to report the transactions. They say he also submitted false receipts and reports to the ATF involving firearms.

The 43-year-old agent from Chesapeake faces possible punishment ranging from five to 20 years for each count, plus fines of up to $500,000.