Law enforcement agents in Florida and beyond are typically held to the highest standards of protocol and regulation in the line of duty. When a uniformed police officer is accused of a crime, it can be disturbing and stressful for all involved. In a recent case, allegations have been made against an officer in another state regarding alleged federal drug trafficking activity.
The 52-year-old officer in question is apparently a 23-year veteran of the force. Authorities claim that he was in uniform and driving a marked police car when he supposedly sold drugs. He was formerly charged on a recent Friday and now faces several counts of possession with intent to distribute.
The officer was arrested by agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He has since been placed on administrative leave from his position. He will not be paid during this leave of absence. The officer’s chief of police stated that the department is requesting that the man be formally suspended without pay.
A chief operating officer at a school where the man also worked as a security guard said that there has never been a single complaint against the officer during his employment there. The school area superintendent said that he has no reason to believe that the officer has ever acted inappropriately toward any student. The federal charges against the man arose when he reportedly sold drugs to a police informant. Federal drug trafficking is a serious matter for which legal guidance is available to anyone facing such charges in Florida.
Source: heraldbulletin.com, “APD officer arrested on federal drug charges“, Ken de la Bastide, Dec. 11, 2015
