Florida police officers who sold confiscated drugs are now sentenced to prison.

In a troubling case that underscores corruption within law enforcement, two Florida officers who were assigned to assist the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) have been sentenced for their involvement in a drug theft operation. Former Florida Highway Patrol trooper Joshua Earrey has received a nine-year prison sentence, while his accomplice, a sheriff’s deputy, has been sentenced to 17 years, highlighting the severity of their actions.

Earrey, who entered a guilty plea in April 2024, faced multiple charges, including conspiracy to distribute narcotics, conspiracy to defraud the United States, and possession of firearms while being an unlawful user of controlled substances. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, both Earrey and deputy James Hickox were involved in the illicit scheme, which allowed them to steal substantial quantities of drugs from evidence storage for sale on the black market.

Prosecutors allege that the pair appropriated over 1,000 pounds of marijuana from their evidence collection efforts, falsifying documentation to claim that the drugs had been destroyed. Their focus on marijuana was due to its local storage within their jurisdiction, which facilitated easier access compared to drugs sent directly to the DEA.

The duo also targeted cocaine and fentanyl. Notably, in one instance, they staged a traffic stop to acquire fentanyl, which ultimately turned out to be a different substance. In a separate operation, while Earrey was overseeing a DEA investigation that had resulted in the seizure of a kilogram of cocaine, Hickox devised a plan to replace the real cocaine with a 3D-printed counterfeit, allowing them to sell the actual drug instead. This operation generated approximately ,000 in illicit profits.

In addition to drug thefts, the officers reportedly pilfered cash during their operations, with documented instances of stealing ,000 and ,000 from drug-related searches. They had strategically prepared bags for easy transport and recorded false amounts to hide their thefts from official records.

Authorities noted that Earrey’s addiction to oxycodone, which he developed following a significant surgical procedure, played a key role in the motivations behind his criminal activities. His dependence on substances led him to engage in illicit acts, such as trading seized firearms and marijuana for pills, further complicating his legal troubles.

This grim saga serves as a reminder of the potential for corruption within law enforcement ranks and the impact of substance abuse on individuals’ lives and careers. The public is urged to seek help for substance use disorders through available resources, including the national helpline at 1-800-662-4357.