STATE PROSECUTORS SATISFIED WITH TROOPER'S EXPLANATIONS

BARTOW - A state trooper who has admitted filing misleading arrest reports
convinced Polk County prosecutors Thursday that none of their cases are at
risk.

Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Douglas Strickland cooperated fully during
an interview that lasted just over an hour at the State Attorney's Office
in Bartow, prosecutors said.

``We have satisfied ourselves that he has no personal knowledge of any
improperly filed affidavits that we have prosecuted in this circuit,''
State Attorney Jerry Hill said late Thursday.

Assistant State Attorney Brad Copley subpoenaed Strickland on Dec. 23 after
the trooper testified in a federal hearing that he and his colleagues have
intentionally misled state judges about the circumstances behind major drug
busts.

In at least two Polk cases, Strickland failed to tell the judge that he was
working with federal agents in a reverse sting.

After learning of the misrepresentation, Copley refused to prosecute one of
the cases. The other case was transferred to federal court, where the
defendant pleaded guilty.

Hill declined to comment Thursday when asked if his office plans to summon
more troopers for questioning