News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 7, 2006

Florida Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Growing Marijuana

April 7, 2006: Mark R. Trouville, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Miami Field Division and R. Alexander Acosta, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, announced that Michael Scott Bollon, of Lighthouse Point, Florida, pled guilty to an information charging him with maintaining his Jupiter. Florida residence as a marijuana grow house from December 2002 through July 2003.

According to statements made in court, Bollon was a sworn Lighthouse Point police officer during the time that he was using his residence to grow between approximately 20 pounds of marijuana, before Bollon and his co-conspirators shut down their operation due to a DEA investigation and arrests of other co-conspirators. Earlier this year, when Bollon became aware of his impending arrest he resigned as a police officer.

Bollon faces 20 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release and a fine of up to $500,000. Bollon has also agreed to forfeit his Jupiter residence to the United States government.

"Whenever a fellow law enforcement officer crosses the line, it is a tragedy. We hold ourselves to a higher standard," said DEA Special Agent in Charge Mark R. Trouville. "This former officer violated his sworn oath. When this happens, it is not just the law enforcement community that is adversely affected, but rather the entire community suffers. DEA will follow our investigations no matter where they lead."

Mr. Acosta stated, "The vast majority of law enforcement officers are dedicated and honest public servants who work tirelessly for the public good. As law enforcement officers, they have a special duty to the public whose trust they hold. Breaches of that trust will not be tolerated and will be aggressively investigated and prosecuted. It is especially intolerable when a sworn law enforcement officer engages in the manufacture and sale of illegal drugs." Mr. Acosta commended the investigative efforts of the DEA Fort Lauderdale District Office and the substantial cooperation of the Lighthouse Point and Fort Lauderdale Police Departments.