Deputy busted selling marijuana-laced edibles and pot-brownies to inmates
(Falkenburg Road Jail, Image credit: Twitter)
On January 6, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) on Florida’s Tampa coast released word that they had to arrest one of their own on multiple drug related charges. After receiving a tip, the Sheriff’s Office was obligated to follow up and arrest 25-year-old Detention Deputy Terry Bradford Jr. after he was accused of “delivering drug-laced edibles to inmates for profit. When Bradford reported for his shift at the Falkenburg Road Jail on Wednesday, he was detained and interviewed by detectives and admitted to the crime.”
Bradford fessed up to the crimes after deputies searched his lunch box and discovered one pound of marijuana laced brownies, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
‘… Bradford was bringing “cannabis-laced perishables” and other contraband into the jail and selling it to inmates in the pod he was assigned to, according to HCSO. Investigators learned the inmates were using Cash App to pay Bradford for the contraband. The investigation so far has uncovered more than $1,000 in transactions …’ ~ Tampa Bay Times
Florida Medical Marijuana Laws prohibit anyone in Florida to possess marijuana flower or buds unless it is sealed in a tamper-proof container sold at a dispensary. Edibles are becoming increasingly popular and can be purchased for clinical use. Although the use of edibles is technically permitted by Florida state law for individuals with a valid medical marijuana card, edibles and marijuana flowers are still illegal for recreational use.
And it should go without saying that it’s illegal for law enforcement officials to sell drug-laced edibles to prison inmates.
“We have a zero tolerance for any type of corruption by any of our employees,” said HCSO Sheriff Chad Chronister.
“Bradford betrayed the trust of the agency and our community strictly for greed. I don’t want the poor actions of one deputy sheriff to reflect on the hard-working, dedicated, and selfless service of the men and woman that make up the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.”
Prior to joining the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office as a pre-certified detention deputy in August 2021, Bradford was previously employed as an officer with the Florida Department of Corrections at the Zephyrhills Correctional Institute. HCSO assigned him to the detention center in October 2021.
The wayward deputy is now looking at multiple charges that include Introduction of Contraband into a Detention Facility and Possession of a Controlled Substance.
He has been placed on administrative leave without pay pending an internal investigation. The Sheriff’s Office said that their investigation into the matter remains active and additional charges may be forthcoming.
The Tampa Bay Times reported that investigators are still looking into how long and how many times Bradford has been selling edibles to the inmates. HCSO is also investigating the possibility of other deputies being involved in the drug sales inside the jail.
“I think I can say in full confidence there’ll be some additional charges coming, I just don’t know on who yet,” HCSO Sheriff Chad Chronister said.
For more on the story, see the video accompanying this article.
(Source: HCSO / Cover photo image credit: Twitter)
Written by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Follow Richard on Facebook. Twitter & Instagram
