A former Florida Highway Patrol trooper with 22 years of experience in the force pleaded guilty to three counts on drug-related charges.
In March 2023, Joshua Earrey, who was also assigned to a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) task force, was arrested on charges of being an “unlawful user or addict of controlled substances in possession of a firearm.”
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According to an arrest report, a cooperating defendant gave the Department of Homeland Security information about Earrey. The defendant said Earrey became addicted to oxycodone for back pain after he had back surgery in January 2023.
The person also told detectives that Earrey was buying Oxycodone for $30 a pill for at least a year, and he said that the pills came from an oxy source who had a prescription that allowed for 80 to 90 pills a month at 30 milligrams each, the report said.
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The cooperating defendant was a middleman between the source and Earrey. At one point, Earrey was having trouble paying for the drugs and wanted to split payments.
The FBI also learned through an acquaintance of Earrey that he owned multiple firearms.
Earrey faces a maximum of 60 years in prison for possession of a firearm by an illegal drug user, conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute, and conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government.
He also faces up to $5 million in fines.
His sentencing date was not set.