Joshua Grady Earrey, Narcotics Distribution, Florida 2024

In a shocking betrayal of public trust, Joshua Grady Earrey, a former Florida Highway Patrol Trooper and DEA Task Force Officer, has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison for his role in distributing narcotics, defrauding the United States, and illegally possessing firearms.

As part of his sentence, Earrey will forfeit or abandon the money, firearms, and ammunition involved in these offenses.

Earrey entered a guilty plea on April 4, 2024.

According to court documents, while employed as a Florida Highway Patrol Trooper and designated Task Force Officer with the Drug Enforcement Administration, Earrey and a co-conspirator engaged in extensive corrupt activity from 2021-2023.

These acts included the theft of money and illegal drugs that were seized as evidence during criminal investigations; providing illegal drugs (including fentanyl and cocaine) to others to distribute on their behalf; and providing ammunition to an individual that Earrey knew to be a convicted murderer in exchange for opiates.

Earrey and his co-conspirator stole more than 1,000 pounds of marijuana from evidence and provided the drugs to others to sell on their behalf. They covered up the theft by submitting falsified paperwork showing that the marijuana had been destroyed. Similarly, they stole a kilogram of cocaine from evidence and then gave it to a drug dealer to sell for them.

The FBI, IRS, and other agencies worked together to bring Earrey to justice, with the assistance of the Florida Highway Patrol, DEA, and ATF.

“Law enforcement officers who operate as though they are above the law betray the badge and the citizens they swore to protect,” said FBI Jacksonville Acting Special Agent in Charge Hubert Reynolds.

Defendant Name: Joshua Grady Earrey

Exact Criminal Charges: One count of conspiring to distribute narcotics, one count of conspiring to defraud the United States, and one count of possessing firearms and ammunition while addicted to illegal narcotics.

City and State: Jacksonville, Florida

Exact Date: n/a (sentencing date)

Sentence or Outcome: Nine years in federal prison

Defendant/Respondent REAL full name or legal entity name: Joshua Grady Earrey

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/former-florida-highway-patrol-trooper-and-dea-task-force-officer-sentenced-nine-years