A former Jasper police officer has pleaded guilty to taking a $5,000 bribe while a member of the city police force.

The U.S. Attorney's Office says 30-year-old Scottie Dewayne Wilkins of Winston County pleaded guilty Thursday to soliciting and accepting the bribe last Sept. 22.

U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance says Wilkins is charged with one count of bribery.

Wilkins was accused of taking money in exchange for helping someone with a probation matter that was pending in court.

Wilkins' sentencing is set for Sept. 26. He faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The Birmingham News reports that Wilkins was a detective sergeant with the Jasper Police Department's narcotics enforcement unit between July-September last year when he dealt with an individual identified as "A."