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Investigation: Deputy Stole Woman's Pills During Traffic Stop

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By VALERIE KALFRIN | The Tampa Tribune
and JOSH POLTILOVE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 6, 2008

TAMPA - Cpl. William Hughes took 19 Oxycodone tablets from a woman during an unrecorded traffic stop, according to a notice of disciplinary hearing signed by Hughes.

The 12-year veteran of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office resigned effective Oct. 14.

A departmental investigation found he took prescription drugs from the woman.

In a summary of the investigation, deputies redacted the type and number of prescription drugs. But Hughes' personnel file, viewed today by The Tampa Tribune and TBO.com, included the information.

The sheriff's office said Hughes, 35, committed the following policy violations: committing misdemeanor petty theft, using prescribed drugs while on duty, conduct unbecoming a member of the sheriff's office and failing to follow department directives.

Assistant State Attorney Pam Bondi said Wednesday that Hughes will not charged with misdemeanor petty theft because the victim didn't fill out the necessary form, as required by law.

The sheriff's office released the findings of the department's internal investigation Tuesday.

According to the summary report's findings, Hughes took prescription pills from a woman's purse during a traffic stop July 23, when he was off duty but in uniform and driving an unmarked sheriff's office vehicle.

He searched the woman's car with her permission and found her purse and the medication.

When the woman later counted the pills, she determined some were missing, the findings say.

Hughes' personnel file contains mostly positive comments.

"Corporal Hughes is continuing to develop as a Traffic Corporal with a positive attitude," a 2007 evaluation states. "Corporal Hughes is a dedicated worker who consistently strives to motivate the deputies he supervises to perform to their fullest potential."

In his resignation letter to Sheriff David Gee, Hughes said he was leaving the office "to pursue an opportunity in another career field."

Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at (813) 259-7691. Reporter Valerie Kalfrin can be reached at (813) 259-7800.

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