Howes was unable to say Tuesday what training troopers have been receiving about how to file affidavits and work with federal investigators. Despite Hall's strong language, Strickland has not been disciplined for the affidavits he filed and remains on the job. In the case in question, Strickland told a state judge, both in writing and over the telephone, that he stopped to help a stranded motorist on Interstate 4. After calling out a drug-sniffing dog, Strickland said, his partner searched the car and found 220 pounds of cocaine. But Strickland failed to tell the judge he was working with the FBI in a reverse sting, and that he already knew the cocaine was there because he saw undercover agents load it earlier that day.
Reverse stings are common in law enforcement.
The agents loaded the drugs into the car with the suspects' permission, prosecutors say. They also secretly installed a device in the car that would later be used to stall it by remote control. If convicted, they face from 10 years to life in prison. Strickland testified that he could not reach any supervisors that day. The Tampa Tribune has learned Strickland filed a similar affidavit in an unrelated case in 1995.