DETROIT – A Detroit police officer will spend 18 years in prison for his role in assisting members of a drug smuggling ring. Christopher Staton, 52, a 19-year veteran of the force, was convicted on a charge of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances last year. MORE: Detroit police officer accused of helping members of lucrative drug smuggling ringAccording to officials, he conspired with known drug dealers, Meltwaine Dukes and Sedrick Jackson, to distribute cocaine and fentanyl. Staton would run license plates for the drug dealers and provide them with other law enforcement information, officials said. “Christopher Staton turned his back on his oath to serve and protect the citizens of Detroit.