David Britto, a Florida police officer who in January was named "Officer of the Year," was arrested last week on charges of conspiring to traffic and possess methamphetamine, according to The South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
From The Palm Beach Post:
The U.S. Attorney's Office and DEA officials announced Tuesday the indictment of David Britto, 28, who they allege had and intended to sell more than 500 grams of methamphetamines between June 2009 and March 2011.
Authorities say that Britto was part of a drug ring along with two other individuals who were arrested earlier this year.
Britto, 28, is a former Marine and has been on the Boynton Beach Police department since 2007. The image he projected contrasts sharply with that of a drug-dealing criminal.
Apart from being chosen as the department's "Officer of the Year" Britto was a mentor for the Florida Community Alliance, an organization fosters interaction between at-risk youth and law enforcement officials. He also taught at the Boynton Beach Police Department's Teen Police Academy.
On his website, Blessedwarrior.com, Britto writes, "I am very passionate about influencing others positively such as giving advice and encouraging those in need...I find fulfillment in helping others and lending hand to those in need."
In 2010, Britto arrested 25 people in 18 cases relating to narcotics.
He is currently suspended from his police work while the department conducts an investigation.