FHP evidence custodian investigated over missing evidence

Cox Media Group, wftv.com
Video

Turkey Lake, FL



FLORIDA —
The Office of Inspector General has launched a criminal investigation into a Florida Highway Patrol evidence custodian and is performing an audit for missing evidence.

According to FHP, Eric Blackmon was the primary evidence custodian with Troop K, which stretches from Sumter County to Fort Pierce on the Florida Turnpike.

Blackmon typically worked at the Turkey Lake station, and that's where the primary evidence lab was for that troop.

A source told Channel 9's Kenneth Craig that the missing evidence includes marijuana, cocaine and cash.

Investigators said they have a lot of work to do, sifting through evidence rooms to find exactly what is missing and how it vanished.

"This is the state's worst nightmare," WFTV's legal analyst said.

The Office of Inspector General is doing a criminal investigation into the situation as well as an audit to see what is missing. FHP will do an internal investigation once that is complete.

Authorities said Blackmon, a civilian employee, resigned about nine days ago. His resignation letter said he was resigning for personal reasons, but did not elaborate on what those reasons were.

Craig's attempts to contact Blackmon for comment on this story were unsuccessful.

FHP has not said when the investigation was launched.

Authorities said Blackmon has handled all kinds of evidence from a variety of cases, and he was the primary person in charge.

According to information he posted online, he has been with the Florida Highway Patrol for about four years.

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