TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online
SWAT Team Called To Arrest Deputy
News Channel 8 photo by DAVID KRAUT
Two Pasco County sheriff's deputies were arrested Sunday on federal drug charges
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Published: March 16, 2008
Updated: 03/16/2008 04:45 pm
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WESLEY CHAPEL - WESLEY CHAPEL - Two Pasco County sheriff's deputies were arrested on federal drug charges Sunday, one after a standoff at his house with SWAT members, the other as he reported for work.
Cpl. Rodney Philon, a jail deputy, was arrested after emerging from his home just before noon. Cpl. Don Riggans, a patrol deputy, was called into work and arrested about 6:30 a.m.
Riggans and Philon are both being held without bail at Orient Road Jail in Hillsborough County.
Philon, 38, is charged with conspiracy to traffic in hydrocodone, jail records show. Riggans, 34, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute hydrocodone, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Tampa.
In an interview Sunday, Pasco Sheriff Bob White said the charges against Philon involved steroids.
Both were fired as soon as they were arrested by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.
Philon was hired in December 1998 and Riggans in April 1999. Philon worked in booking at the Land O' Lakes Jail; Riggans worked in booking for six years before moving to patrol duty.
The arrests ended a three-week investigation that involved the DEA, Pasco County Sheriff's Office and Tampa police, White said.
"We're not going to tolerate corruption in our ranks. We will root it out where we find it," White said outside the gates of Wesley Pointe, shortly after Philon's arrest.
Philon refused to leave his home at 28639 Seashell Court when DEA agents knocked about 6 a.m. Sunday morning. Philon's wife and daughter also were in the house.
That prompted a morning-long standoff during which law enforcement officials rousted Philon's neighbors from their homes and sealed the gated community off State Road 54, just east of Interstate 75.
As news helicopters circled overhead, SWAT officers spoke by phone with Philon, trying to persuade him to surrender peacefully. About 11:50 a.m., Philon left his house without incident and was taken away in handcuffs, a black shirt covering his head and shoulders.
Deputies knew Philon had guns. Even if he had not been a deputy, SWAT would have been called because the situation involved an armed person barricaded inside a home, sheriff's spokesman Doug Tobin said.
"There's a high potential for suicide or murder-suicide," Tobin said.
Even so, White said he did not think Philon's family was in danger.
"He was weighing his options and stalling," White said.
The DEA also arrested two men tied to a Tampa pharmacy the agency had targeted in November 2006.
Kevin Massimino, 32, of 11234 Blacksmith St. in Tampa, and Robert Caddick, 51, of 1007 Egans Creek Court in Oviedo, were arrested on federal charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute hydrocodone, an opiate nearly equivalent to morphine for pain relief. They are being held without bail at the Orient Road Jail.
The U.S. Attorney's Office said Riggans conspired with Massimino and Caddick to distribute hydrocodone. In one case, Riggans received $9,000 in cash from Massimino for his assistance, authorities said.
All three are scheduled to make their first court appearance today.
Public records show Caddick has been a registered agent for two companies - Medipharm-RX in Tampa and Medcenter in Lakeland - that were searched by DEA agents in November 2006.
At the time, a DEA spokeswoman said the companies' certificates of registration were being suspended, meaning they could not buy or sell controlled substances.
Agents removed more than 600,000 pills from Medipharm, most of which were hydrocodone and alprazolam.
Massimino listed Medipharm as his employer after a June arrest on charges of driving under the influence and domestic battery, jail records show.
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Reader Comments
Posted by ( scottfwtx ) on March 16, 2008 at 12:28 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Well at least it ended peacefully. However, more details are needed. Was there indeed a woman inside the home? Who called the police and why?
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Posted by ( swissmiss ) on March 16, 2008 at 12:45 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
yeah there are a lot of details missing..
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Posted by ( docpops2008 ) on March 16, 2008 at 12:46 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
My step son called me at 9AM to tell me he and his kids were not allowed to leave their house, they live right next door to the situation house. Why did it take so long for the news to get there - we called channel 8 at 9:30. How were we supposed to know they were not in any danger?
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Posted by ( biff_henderson ) on March 16, 2008 at 1:15 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
docpops2008 wrote:
How were we supposed to know they were not in any danger?
Well, there's always the same method you used at 9 a.m.
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Posted by ( thog ) on March 16, 2008 at 2:26 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by ( Trish ) on March 16, 2008 at 2:29 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Couldn't tell from the title of this article if the deputies had made some arrests, or if they themselves had been arrested. I had to read the article to determine what the writer was attempting to summarize. The title should read, "Wesley Chapel Standoff Ends with Deputies' Arrests", shouldn't it? Or better - "Wesley Chapel Standoff Ends with Arrest of Two Deputies". I'm not the grammar police, but sheesh -- you guys are supposed to be the literate professionals!
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Posted by ( big_t ) on March 16, 2008 at 2:40 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Where's the booking photos?
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Posted by ( yankeejib ) on March 16, 2008 at 3:01 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by ( Karamelg1 ) on March 16, 2008 at 3:02 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Is this an episode of The Shield?
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Posted by ( jaco ) on March 16, 2008 at 3:17 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire! Drug test everybody in that police force and I will guarantee you, you will find more that abuse their law enforcement powers!
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Posted by ( ehunt60 ) on March 16, 2008 at 3:38 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
riggans'
photo is available at the hillsborough county sheriffs office web site, under arrest inquiries, however,philons is noy hmmmm, wonder why?
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Posted by ( ehunt60 ) on March 16, 2008 at 3:38 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
riggans'
photo is available at the hillsborough county sheriffs office web site, under arrest inquiries, however,philons is not hmmmm, wonder why?
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Posted by ( Jayson_Barclay ) on March 16, 2008 at 3:50 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I agree with the other posters. I knew it was only a matter of time until Vice squad detectives Sonny Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs were apprehended.
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Posted by ( biff_henderson ) on March 16, 2008 at 4:07 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
thog:
There is a photo on another news outlet's website that clearly shows Philon handcuffed with a black shirt over his head. Yes, he is wearing a tan T-shirt. However, the TBO story says only that the shirt on his head was black. It doesn't say he was wearing a black T-shirt. It's not misreporting. It's you misreading.
And, no, I don't work for TBO, The Tampa Tribune nor WFLA-Channel 8.
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Posted by ( markyn11 ) on March 16, 2008 at 4:13 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Book em Danno.
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Posted by ( craigpotter ) on March 16, 2008 at 4:37 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Were Neil Johnson or Kevin Wiatroski actually on the scene gathering "FACTS" on this story or did they rely on "peeking through the blinds" eyewitness accounts. You wonder why people don't trust the media? Don't run a story if all your facts are second hand. Take the extra time to verify. We would really appreciate your reporters doing what they are paid to do. Shame on them and Shame on you.
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Posted by ( biff_henderson ) on March 16, 2008 at 4:41 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
craigpotter:
What leads you to believe the reporters weren't there?
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Posted by ( craigpotter ) on March 16, 2008 at 4:44 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
They were too busy trying to come up with a banner line for the article.
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Posted by ( biff_henderson ) on March 16, 2008 at 4:55 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
So where do the "second-hand information" and "peeking through the blinds eyewitness accounts" parts come in, exactly? Do you see something in particular that leads you to believe this? Which parts are inaccurate?
And, once again, no, I don't work for the Media General empire. I've got enough bones to pick with their news products as it stands ... this just doesn't happen to be one of them.
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Posted by ( craigpotter ) on March 16, 2008 at 5:01 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
If this story has legs, compare what is reported 2-3 days from now to the above story.
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Posted by ( biff_henderson ) on March 16, 2008 at 5:05 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Do you know something the rest of us don't?
Otherwise, what's the deal with the "second-hand information" and "peeking through the blinds" comments?
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Posted by ( alafia1 ) on March 16, 2008 at 5:06 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
now the codone is back where is was probably originated from
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Posted by ( eyeteeguy ) on March 16, 2008 at 5:39 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
That agency and I am sure like all others, have a LOT of bad apples amongst the ranks.
I am glad I got out of there when I did.
It's all fun and games until the DEA knocks at your door.
Sorry Rodney, I always knew you to be a good guy....then again, I may not have really known you after all.
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Posted by ( eyeteeguy ) on March 16, 2008 at 5:44 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Riggans....Man, the mug shot/shirt....James isn't going to be happy about that!
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Posted by ( biker ) on March 16, 2008 at 5:46 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
LEOs at their best again I see. Glad we are protected by such fine upstanding citizens.
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Posted by ( kpg8 ) on March 16, 2008 at 5:47 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
where are all the cop haters. Here is a reason where they can bash them and none of them come out. Hope these d-bags are made an example out of.
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Posted by ( chuckhill ) on March 16, 2008 at 6:07 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
There are so many methods used by the FDA and DEA to find people abusing legal controlled substances that I am amazed anyone would try to outwit them.
Some few get away with it for a while, but you cannot make it a lifetime career. And don't even think about "shopping" for multiple prescriptions. Red lights will go off all over the place.
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Posted by ( dennisjb ) on March 16, 2008 at 6:14 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
1st and foremost ,I'm not a cop hater...I have friends in law enforcement....however let me say.....After 911 we set up a situation where because of the actions of those guys in NYC,our leos could do no wrong...they all became instant heroes...nationwide.....it was long overdo recognition....unfortunately some of them have taken advantage of what others had to pay for with their lives...and used their status to bully and abuse people and abuse the system...We need to back off the hero worship without losing our respect and appreciation for what they do and realize and remember there are criminal minds ,jerks ,and wannabes who have no business in law enforcement ....reel in some of the super hero power and keep reins on some of that authority...I've watched the past several yrs and seen serious chinks in the armor of several local law enforcement agencies....God bless the men and women out their fighting the bad guys and protecting us.....most of you are underpayed and some not appreciated but please police yourselves better and don't be shy about weed eating around your door step...stuff like this just has to be reeled in....
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Posted by ( GF ) on March 16, 2008 at 6:52 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
kpg8, It's because they got caught dealing drugs, the cop haters favorite occupation.
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Posted by ( elyse ) on March 16, 2008 at 8:46 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I am amazed that the SWAT, police and maybe the news reporters were even able to get to the scene, since SR54 is usually one big bottleneck. Maybe after they clean up the police dept then they can go after the Pasco County Commissioners and find out whose getting what and why we can't get this SR54 from I75 to Curley Rd widened NOW!
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Posted by ( politicalmike ) on March 16, 2008 at 8:48 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
1. Big suprise cops were up to no good.
2. The DEA is a monstrosity that should be disdanded immediately.
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Posted by ( Nacional9 ) on March 16, 2008 at 9:23 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I think it's funny how everyone is bashing on this reporter for reporting everything from others' accounts. But, sadly, if a reporter is not present at the scene of the story, all that can be relied upon is secondary information.
And to the person who's wondering where the cop-haters are at, I don't know. However, it's not necessary for people to denounce the forces to realize that they all misuse their power at least a little - no matter how good a person may be.
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Posted by ( whasup ) on March 16, 2008 at 9:30 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
The other paper reported they were also dealing in steroids. I'll bet they were selling the steroids to fellow cops. Therefore, they would not, of course, be charged for THAT. Been saying it for years..test 'em ALL for steroids. That's the main cause of police brutality and police crime.
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Posted by ( Slimsloomy ) on March 16, 2008 at 9:56 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Philon's Arrest Record
http://www.hcso.tampa.fl.us/pub/default.asp?/Online/qdisp/bn=08017095
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Posted by ( kimbo ) on March 16, 2008 at 10:26 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
The white SUV could be a undercover cop car. The person who took the picture and the printer and the paperboy who delivers the paper with the picture in it are now going to be jailed. Isn't that the way it done lately?
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Posted by ( Jayson_Barclay ) on March 16, 2008 at 10:28 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
The DEA is out of control. Ron Paul will disband the DEA and make drug use not only legal but mandatory. Ron Paul will also disband the FBI, CIA, and the Television show CSI New York.
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Posted by ( Budbkind2u ) on March 16, 2008 at 10:29 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Cops will be cops.....................
and some think they should have more rights then the rest of us.............
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Posted by ( Elijah ) on March 16, 2008 at 10:39 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
whasup.... "Been saying it for years..test 'em ALL for steroids. That's the main cause"
They test for weed....lets see some roid tests!!!
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Posted by ( Sahara ) on March 16, 2008 at 11:07 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
My daughter is on illegal drugs, trying to find help in this F...ing state is unbelievable..with crooked cops, its no wonder
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Posted by ( Carlene ) on March 16, 2008 at 11:10 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
It is getting harder and harder to trust anyone in the state of Florida..if our law enforcement is crooked, then I guess we are in for a world of sh.t
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Posted by ( wilsonb224 ) on March 16, 2008 at 11:28 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
HCSO tests for steriods. I know many of the state law enforcement agencies do as well. To all of you bashing crooked cops, there are bad apples in every profession. Do not judge all on the actions of very few!
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Posted by ( whasup ) on March 17, 2008 at 12:21 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Maybe so, but YOUR bad apples can murder us for free.
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Posted by ( Plunder ) on March 17, 2008 at 2:39 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I work for the Pasco County Sheriff's Office and I wish they would test us for illegal and non-prescribed drugs. I am sure there would be questionable results all the way up the food chain. Test us and fire the ones who don't belong. The tax payers are willing to pay for the drug tests!
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Posted by ( whasup ) on March 17, 2008 at 5:12 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Plunder...Bless your intelligent brain, and, by the way, THAT'S HOT
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Posted by ( osiferred ) on March 17, 2008 at 6:47 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I went to the Correctional Academy with Rodney Philon and its a shame to hear that he got involved in this type of thing. Steriods doesnt surprise me in the least though. I feel sorry for his wife and daughter that were home to witness the event.
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Posted by ( hfelsh ) on March 17, 2008 at 6:56 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
PlantCityPicker: if you *really* need that, go to a Pain Management Doctor. I do. I take 5 Percocet (painkillers) and 3 Soma (muscle relaxers) per day to help control my constant pain. Even still, that's BARELY enough since I've built up a tolerance over the years. And yes, I have a legitimate need for these painkillers. The recent TBO article on painkillers contains a lot of good info:
http://tinyurl.com/35ut39
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Posted by ( erj3 ) on March 17, 2008 at 7:07 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Good Bust. Send them away, double the sentence for the LEO's, they DESERVE it.
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Posted by ( aneye4beauty ) on March 17, 2008 at 9:44 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Nice to hear they were fired immediately. Not suspended on paid leave. Hats off to the sheriff. That speaks loudly of his stand on "dirty" cops! yes, I agree.....randomly drug test them all, and if they have nothing to hide, they should have nothing to fear. My heart breaks for the families of these men.
Although, buying/selling does not necessarily declare "using"
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Posted by ( marymcq ) on March 17, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I love it, where is everyone that was that saying in the past few weeks about all the low life scumbag drug addicts and drunks that LEO'S have to deal with? Wow, I guess now they are the low life's, where is CAMM at? Her and her LEO husband, probably hiding in shame, that's right, everyone is human, everyone, at one time or another is going to make a mistake, you cannot judge everyone over a few bad apples. I'm not trying to pick a fight, I'm just trying to make a point, in every race, career, nationality, etc., there are going to be people who do bad things, it doesn't make everyone in that group bad.
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Posted by ( marymcq ) on March 17, 2008 at 10:07 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Plantcitypicker, go see Dr. Pier Frank on Fletcher Ave., he is a pain management Doctor and he is not afraid to prescribe, I know what you are going through, although be very careful, even taking these pills as prescribed your body can become dependant on them. Good Luck.
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Posted by ( rjc59 ) on March 17, 2008 at 10:26 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Nice home, and good neighbors. Drugs dealers with all the power. WOW!
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Posted by ( 91stormvet ) on March 17, 2008 at 1:20 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Why no one trusts cops anymore? See all the stories posted in the news lately.
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Posted by ( biker ) on March 17, 2008 at 4:18 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Quoted from previous post: "I feel sorry for his wife and daughter that were home to witness the event."
Why be sorry - now they know what their husband and father really are.
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