Florida prosecutors are dropping charges against a former sheriff’s deputy who has been under investigation for allegedly planting drugs on people during traffic stops.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement initially launched an investigation at the request of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation remains open and no charges have been filed.
FDLE records showed Deputy Zachary Wester was fired earlier this month for violating agency policy.
State Attorney Glenn Hess has sent letters to lawyers with clients in 15 cases involving Wester. On Tuesday, prosecutors asked a judge to vacate the sentence of one woman charged with drug possession.
A judge has already vacated the sentences of at least eight people who were arrested by Wester, and the State Attorney’s Office said charges have been dropped against over 30 other people who were arrested between 2016 and 2018. One defendant was a juvenile.
Hess said his office is reviewing a total of 263 cases involving Wester.