LABELLE, Fla. A former Hendry County deputy was found not guilty Monday of felony contempt of court and perjury charges stemming from a search without a warrant.
Archer found drugs in a home during a July 2016 search and arrested the suspect on drug possession charges. The charges against the suspect were dropped over the lack of a warrant.
Court documents show Archer, a high-ranking sergeant, sought a judge’s approval to search a trailer, but the judge didn’t sign the search warrant. Archer searched the trailer anyway and allegedly filed a false report.
Archer faced as many as five years in prison if convicted.