A 17-year veteran of the NYPD was convicted of armed robbery and narcotics trafficking charges Thursday for a series of violent crimes with drug bandits, some of which he committed while in uniform and on duty.  

Jose Tejada, 46, faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. Tejada took part in three robberies in the Bronx in 2006 and 2007 that netted thousands of dollars in cash and cocaine, authorities said.

"Tejeda dishonored his badge and his uniform when he crossed the line from cop to robber,"  U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch said in a statement.

During one of the robberies, Tejada was on duty and in uniform and used his status as a police officer to gain access to a private residence in the Bronx where drug dealers were believed to be living, according to the indictment.   An innocent family lived in the home and had been handcuffed and threatened with his service weapon, according to court papers.

Tejada also helped members of a violent robbery crew pose as police officers by supplying them with NYPD equipment. He also used his status as a police officer to search confidential law enforcement databases and see if his crew members had outstanding warrants.

More than 20 members of Tejada's alleged crew have been convicted in connection with the ongoing case, including another NYPD officer and an auxiliary officer, prosecutors said.