MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. — A former Martin County Sheriff's deputy was arrested Monday after an investigation showed at least 14 arrests were tied to fake drugs.
O'Leary was originally fired in January following the investigation, CBS 12 News in West Palm Beach reported. The investigation, details in a newly-released arrest affidavit, said O'Leary was involved in dozens of instances of false imprisonment, lying and tampering with evidence.
CBS 12 said 11 people were released from jail as a result of O'Leary's firing. Martin County Sheriff William Snyder said O'Leary had made at least 80 drug-related arrests in an 11-month period.
Arrest records show O'Leary is charged with 17 counts of obstruction of justice, nine counts of making false statements, 13 counts of tampering with evidence and 13 counts of false imprisonment.
O'Leary was arrested Monday by U.S. Marshal's Service and the Florida Highway Patrol in Tallahassee.
WPEC said O'Leary had a diary of "known" drug areas where he'd frequently patrol. A statue with powdery gypsum residue was found in his patrol car, investigators say. The gypsum residue is similar to what was used in the fake drugs, according to investigators.
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