Polk County Sheriff's Office Volunteer Is Accused Of Selling Narcotics To Investigators

POLK COUNTY, FL — A volunteer with the Polk County Sheriff's Office has been accused by deputies of selling narcotics, a sheriff's office news release said.

Sixty-nine-year-old David Roberts of Lake Wales faces the following charges, according to deputies: Possession of a vehicle used to traffic drugs, possessing narcotic paraphernalia, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, unlawful use of a 2-way communication device, possession of cannabis more than 20 grams, trafficking in Oxycodone 25 grams or more, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Undercover detectives arrested Roberts Friday at a convenience store in Lake Wales, deputies said.

Deputies were given a tip by an unnamed source in early April that accused the suspect of selling Oxycodone pills (10 mg). According to the source, Roberts receives a monthly prescription for 90 Oxycodone pills per month.

Undercover detectives arranged a meeting with the suspect to purchase Oxycodone, authorities said.

The detectives and Roberts met Friday at an undisclosed convenience store located in Lake Wales. Ninety Oxycodone pills were purchased by the undercover detectives, the news release said.

Following the drug transaction, Roberts was arrested and taken to the Polk County Jail, deputies said.

Investigators said they found a .22 rifle, a handgun, ammunition, a prescription bottle for 90 Oxycodone pills, and 25.02 grams of marijuana.

Roberts has a 1971 conviction for burglary, a felony, deputies said.

According to deputies, Roberts became a PCSO volunteer in October of 2009. Volunteers are civilian volunteer members and do not have law enforcement authority, assist with directing traffic, conducting neighborhood canvassing and documenting minor crashes.