- Reaction score
- 9,493
- Points
- 1,360
A friend of mine shared this on facebook this morning, all I can say is wow!
More at the link
https://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/florida-deputy-accused-of-planting-drugs-in-traffic-stops-20190712/
Couple of highlights:
- Prosecutors have so far dropped 120 cases connected to the former Deputy
- The Sherriff's Department has 12 pending lawsuits and many more expected
- Many Victims of the officer did/are doing jail time
- One father lost custody of his children
The investigators who charged the former deputy wouldn't indicate a motive although they have a couple of theories. His father is a well known ex-cop who headed up an anti-drug task force in Florida. It appears that the motive may have been career advancement as the Deputy had built up a reputation as a "hard charging patrolman".
The Prosecutors Office has said they will not be plea-bargaining with the Accused and are seeking the maximum penalty. The accused has plead not-guilty to all charges.
TALLAHASSEE — A former sheriff's deputy in the Florida Panhandle was arrested Wednesday on charges that he routinely pulled over drivers for minor traffic infractions, planted drugs and then arrested them on made-up drug charges, including one victim who lost custody of his daughter because of the arrest.
Former Jackson County deputy Zachary Wester was arrested in Crawfordville, Florida, after a nearly year-long investigation, according to a statement from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. An arrest warrant detailing the case showed a pattern of Wester pulling drivers for minor offenses or because he said he smelled marijuana coming from the vehicles.
More at the link
https://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/florida-deputy-accused-of-planting-drugs-in-traffic-stops-20190712/
Couple of highlights:
- Prosecutors have so far dropped 120 cases connected to the former Deputy
- The Sherriff's Department has 12 pending lawsuits and many more expected
- Many Victims of the officer did/are doing jail time
- One father lost custody of his children
The investigators who charged the former deputy wouldn't indicate a motive although they have a couple of theories. His father is a well known ex-cop who headed up an anti-drug task force in Florida. It appears that the motive may have been career advancement as the Deputy had built up a reputation as a "hard charging patrolman".
The Prosecutors Office has said they will not be plea-bargaining with the Accused and are seeking the maximum penalty. The accused has plead not-guilty to all charges.