Lake City corruption case trial to begin Wednesday

The federal trial of former Lake City police officer Shanita McKnight in connection with an investigation into corruption in Lake City has been delayed until Wednesday.

McKnight, 35, and Albergail McFadden, 52, both of Lake City, were indicted June 26, 2007, on drug trafficking charges. McKnight also is charged with extortion for using her position as a police officer to “wrongfully obtain monies from other individuals,” according to a press release from then-U.S. Attorney Reginald I. Lloyd.

McKnight and McFadden face a maximum penalty of 10 years to life in prison and fines ranging from $4 million to $8 million.

McKnight faces a maximum penalty of a $250,000 fine and/or 20 years in prison for the extortion charge.

McFadden has already entered a guilty plea in the case.

Their trial was set to begin Tuesday, but had to be delayed a day because someone in the court had a death in the family.

Police arrested three other Lake City residents last week in connection with this case.

Count on the Morning News, scnow.com and WBTW News13 for the latest developments on this trial.