FORMER HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY DEPUTY PLEADS GUILTY TO DRUG CHARGES

TAMPA, Fla.- A former Hillsborough County sheriff's deputy has pleaded
guilty to more than 20 charges stemming from his using drugs from an
evidence room and replacing them with wax, soap and leaves.

Christopher Madiedo, 27, entered his plea Wednesday and now faces up to 121
years in prison under sentencing guidelines, said Assistant State Attorney
Suzy Rossomondo. He is set to be sentenced June 7.

Madiedo's attorney, Ron Hanes, said doctors will testify his client is a
drug addict who suffers from bipolar and post-traumatic stress disorders.
Madiedo had those problems as a deputy, Hanes said.

Madiedo was arrested a day after resigning in June. Sheriff's officials
said he signed out dozens of envelopes of cocaine and marijuana starting in
November 1997.

He used the drugs before returning the envelopes, in some cases replacing
cocaine with soap powder, crack cocaine with wax, and marijuana with twigs
and leaves.

Rossomondo said prosecutors were forced to drop two cocaine possession
cases involving other defendants because Madiedo stole drug evidence.

Circuit Judge Ronald Ficarrotta revoked Madiedo's bail after prosecutors
said the former deputy recently used crack cocaine at a local hotel with an
informant.

Hanes wanted Madiedo to remain free on bail pending sentencing, calling the
crack cocaine use a relapse in his client's treatment.

Ficarrotta agreed Madiedo is an addict and has mental health issues, but he
revoked Madiedo's bail "for his own good."

Information from: Tampa Tribune