OFFICER FACES DRUGS ALLEGATION

Affidavit: Dunnellon Officer Stole Drugs That Were To Be Evidence.

DUNNELLON - A 31-year-old Dunnellon police officer was arrested
Wednesday after being accused of stealing drugs that were supposed to
be seized for evidence.

The arrest was a culmination of a two-month investigation by the
Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Marion County Sheriff's
Office and the Dunnellon Police. Police were suspicious that Brian
Dean had been taking narcotics obtained from his investigations and using them.

According to an arrest affidavit, the six-year officer found 26
baggies containing marijuana and $165 in a pick-up truck on Sept. 29,
after being dispatched to the vehicle on a fake call by law
enforcement officers who were watching him with video surveillance.

But Dean reportedly only turned in the money and 25 of the bags.
Investigators said they found the missing bag of marijuana in a flash
light in a box in Dean's trunk.

Dean was immediately suspended and resigned the next day. On
Wednesday, the State Attorney's Office filed charges of felony
official misconduct and possession of cannabis (less than 20 grams),
which is a misdemeanor. He was in the Citrus County Jail on Wednesday
in lieu of $2,500 bail.

"He violated the public trust," said Capt. Dennis Strow, spokesman
for the Sheriff's Office.

The Gainesville Police Department and the Citrus County Sheriff's
Office also worked the investigation.

Although Dean was allegedly caught with the drugs Sept. 29, officials
said at the time he was not taken into custody, pending further
investigation. Strow said Wednesday they needed more information to
determine the charges.

About three months ago, Police Chief Bob Jackson contacted FDLE
because he suspected that Dean was involved in illegal activity.
Strow added more charges could be pending.

"This could be like opening up Pandora's Box," Strow said.

In a press release on Sept. 29, Jackson said, "It hurts to think that
one of my officers crossed the line and now faces possible criminal
charges. However, the actions of one officer should not reflect on
the professionalism of the dedicated officers serving the city of Dunnellon."