mORE TIME CALLED FOR

This guy should have gotten MORE time. WAY MORE. Drug dealing is dangerous enough but then you have the lawdogs jumping in with guns and badges and stealing from the INFORMANTS all under the color of THE LAW.
It's really heinous. Get out there and MAKE A DEAL like the rest of the population. WE're sick of you motherfuckers stealing from us.

Former Pasco deputy sentenced to prison in drug scheme
TAMPA - Don Riggans spent his life serving in the Army, working up the ladder in law enforcement and building a life with his wife and two daughters.

But the former Pasco sheriff's deputy met the ultimate disgrace earlier this year when he was arrested on federal charges that he conspired to distribute thousands of pain pills for illegal sale. Authorities said he used the trappings of his position - a police cruiser, vest and agency firearm - to conduct a bogus traffic stop on a drug runner (who was actually an informant) to rip off the proceeds of the drug sale.

His sentencing was today. His wife, Kimberly, also a sheriff's deputy, spoke through tears about the model person her husband had been before making this mistake. Riggans himself said his lowest moment was explaining to his daughters what he had done. His lawyer pleaded for leniency.

U.S. District Judge Richard Lazzara listened, but then posed this question: "Who protects us from the protectors?"

Lazzara said Riggans' actions "undermine the rule of law, and without the rule of law we are nothing."

Riggans, 35, came to court facing a minimum of 5 years in prison after pleading guilty in September to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute hydrocodone and possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

Federal prosecutors recommended a departure from those guidelines because Riggans had cooperated in the investigation and admitted responsibility.

Lazzara ultimately decided on 24 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

The sentence was met with more sobs from the group of 30 or so friends and family in attendance. Riggans hung his head.

Said Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Porcelli: "His offense is much more egregious than any drug dealer. He knew better. Hs conduct, unlike a drug dealer's, threatens the very system we operate under."

Molly Moorhead, Times staff writer

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Posted by tampabaycom at 4:23:35 PM on December 12, 2008 in Pasco | Permalink

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