Florida Sheriff Arrested for Alleged Document Tampering in Case Involving Not Arresting Someone on Gun Charge Acquitted

I blogged back in August about a Florida sheriff arrested for allegedly tampering with public documents in a case where he decided to not keep in jail a man arrested on what the sheriff, Nick Finch, considered a bogus weapons charge.

Now he's been acquitted, as WTXL-TV reports:

The eight-person jury handed down the verdict shortly after noon on Thursday, October 31.

Finch was arrested in June of this year by agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and later suspended by Governor Rick Scott.

The charges filed against Finch stemmed from the arrest earlier in the year of Floyd Eugene Parrish. He was arrested by a deputy for carrying a concealed weapon. Finch reportedly released Parrish from jail. Prosecutors say they believe Finch then destroyed jail documents pertaining to Parrish's arrest.

Finch has all along maintained that he had done nothing wrong and releasing Parrish only in an act to protect a citizen's second amendment rights.

Hat tip: Bob Schaefer

Comments

[sarcasmic]

It's pretty sad when about the only way a cop can get himself arrested is by protecting someone's rights.

[Free Society]

Welcome to the ironic state of America.

[Eduard van Haalen]

"suspended by Governor Rick Scott"

I hope it was at least a *paid* suspension. For once, that would have served the ends of justice.

[Brett L]

So he's going back on the job, right?

[Fist of Etiquette]

Former Liberty County Sheriff Nick Finch has been immediately reinstated into office by Governor Rick Scott.

[Brett L]

Thanks. I stroked out for a while.

[Live Free or Diet]

What kind of life would it be without a little dain bramage?

[MasterDarque]

This will teach him not to worry about the rights of the citizen.