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Tampa Police: Man Sold Officer Fake Crack Cocaine

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By AMERICA DEUPREE

News Channel 8

Published: July 17, 2008

TAMPA - Reginald Faison, 47, whistled at a man on Nebraska Avenue Wednesday night, police say, trying to offer him the services of a prostitute.

The man told Faison he was "looking for a girl," according to a Tampa police affidavit.

According to the affidavit:

Faison told the man that not only could he procure him a prostitute, but he could also get him "10 or 20 hard" — street slang for crack cocaine.

Faison then motioned for a woman standing nearby to join him and the man. But when she arrived, she was suspicious.

"No, you are the police," the woman said to the man next to Faison.

The man told Faison he was not a police officer, then asked Faison for crack.

After Faison said he could get crack, the man said he needed to go across the street to the Jayhawk Motel to get money.

The man went to the motel, got money, came back and handed $20 to Faison.

Faison then became suspicious and accused the man of being a police officer.

"Don't rob me, man," the man said.

Faison started to walk away from the man, then turned around and gave him what Faison said was crack cocaine. That's when Faison learned his suspicion was well-founded.

The man was an undercover Tampa police officer investigating prostitution in the area. Once the transaction took place, he signaled for backup.

As he was being arrested, Faison dropped the money and about five pieces of what looked to be crack cocaine.

A field test revealed that the product Faison sold to the officer was fake and did not contain cocaine.

"That ain't even real," Faison told police. "It's fake. I didn't sell him no real dope."

Faison was charged with the sale of imitation cocaine, a felony. He is being held at Orient Road Jail on $2,000 bail, according to jail records.

The woman with Faison was not arrested.

Reporter America Deupree can be reached at (813) 221-5789.

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