Former Manatee deputy arrested in steroids probe

By Elizabeth Johnson
elizabeth.johnson@heraldtribune.com

MANATEE COUNTY - A former sheriff's deputy who played a significant role as a confidential informant in an undercover steroids investigation has been arrested.
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James "Jac" Choate, 40, was arrested Thursday on three counts of possessing steroids with intent to distribute. Choate acted as a confidential informant in the undercover steroids investigation that netted nine other people, including sheriff's deputies and firefighters. Photo provided by the Manatee County Sheriff's Office
Photo provided by the Manatee County Sheriff's Office

James “Jac” Choate, 40, faces three state-level charges of possessing steroids with intent to distribute.

Choate acted as a confidential informant in the multi-agency investigation, which has led to the arrests of two firefighters, three Manatee County sheriff's deputies, a personal trainer and three others. The investigation also led to the termination of a fourth deputy who spoke with Choate about buying steroids but never purchased the illegal items.

Choate, arrested Feb. 27, is one of three people to face state charges. The other two, former deputies Tom Frank and Chris Tucker, who opted to enter pre-trial intervention programs to avoid trial and becoming convicted felons. Frank and Tucker were charged with possession of steroids.

Choate is the only person facing distribution allegations to not face federal charges.

Former deputy Tom Peel; Wayne Faulkner, of West Manatee Fire and Rescue; James Sevier, whose employer is not listed on his arrest report; Aaron Larkin, whose employer is not listed; Andrew Cleveland, a personal trainer at Crunch Fitness on University Parkway; Gregory Waldo, of Parrish Fire District, and his wife, Stephanie Waldo have entered guilty pleas to federal charges.

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20140304/ARTICLE/140309870/-1/sports?Title=Former-Manatee-deputy-arrested-in-steroids-probe-