Disgraced Boston cop gets probation for cashing in fraudulent store gift cards

A federal judge yesterday sentenced Eddie Odney, 38, to three years of probation and fines and reimbursement of $11,600 for a scheme in which he bought and used gift cards he knew came from people returning stolen merchandise at several local retailers, the US Attorney's office reports.

Over the course of over a year and a half, including all of 2015, Odney purchased approximately $5,000 worth of gift cards that he knew were obtained from the return of stolen merchandise at stores including T.J. Maxx, Macy’s, and HomeGoods. Odney paid cash for the cards and used them to make over $1,600 in purchases in 2015.

According to the "information" against him, Odney was pals with the head of a shoplifting ring, whose members would return the items they'd lifted, get gift cards, then sell those cards for half their value.

Odney had pleaded guilty in August to one count of access device fraud - and agreed to resign as a Boston cop.