Former deputy informant in steroids case gets jail time
By Elizabeth Johnson
Published: Monday, September 21, 2015
MANATEE COUNTY - A former Manatee County Sheriff's deputy, who acted as a confidential informant in a steroids sting that embroiled several public servants, will get jail time after all.
James “Jac” Choate, 42, initially avoided time behind bars in exchange for his cooperation with authorities. However, he was arrested in June after being accused of possessing firearms, ammunition and steroids in violation of his probationary conditions.
He entered a negotiated plea Monday, agreeing to spend 60 days in jail.
Choate's defense attorney Mark Lipinski asked if his client, who attends school and has a job, could turn himself in later this week. Circuit Judge Diana Moreland agreed that Choate would have until 5 p.m. Thursday to do so.
“He'll be there at 4 o'clock,” Lipinski said.
If Choate misses that deadline, he will be required to spend 364 days in jail. He will get credit for the roughly 23 days he spent in jail after his June arrest. Once released from jail, Choate will spend two years on house arrest.
Moreland withheld adjudication, meaning Choate was not found guilty of any crime and is not a convicted felon.
Choate acted as a confidential informant in 2013 in a multi-agency investigation, which led to the arrests of two firefighters, three sheriff's deputies, a personal trainer and four 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 worked at the sheriff's office from 1995 to 2011.
Choate became involved in the investigation when he sold steroids to another confidential informant. After that, he agreed to work with the agencies, handing over the names of people who bought steroids from him, continuing those transactions and pursuing potential new buyers — all the while having his phone calls recorded or wearing a wire.
Choate was arrested in February 2014, but avoided jail time in the case. Instead, he was given two years of probation when he took a deal on one count of sale or delivery of a controlled substance and two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell or deliver. Choate was not adjudicated guilty of those crimes. Choate was the only person accused of distribution crimes to not face federal charges in the case.
Choate, who is prohibited from owning guns as part of his probation, was accused of selling several firearms at a local pawn shop, leading to his arrest this summer.
By Elizabeth Johnson
Published: Monday, September 21, 2015
MANATEE COUNTY - A former Manatee County Sheriff's deputy, who acted as a confidential informant in a steroids sting that embroiled several public servants, will get jail time after all.
James “Jac” Choate, 42, initially avoided time behind bars in exchange for his cooperation with authorities. However, he was arrested in June after being accused of possessing firearms, ammunition and steroids in violation of his probationary conditions.
He entered a negotiated plea Monday, agreeing to spend 60 days in jail.
Choate's defense attorney Mark Lipinski asked if his client, who attends school and has a job, could turn himself in later this week. Circuit Judge Diana Moreland agreed that Choate would have until 5 p.m. Thursday to do so.
“He'll be there at 4 o'clock,” Lipinski said.
If Choate misses that deadline, he will be required to spend 364 days in jail. He will get credit for the roughly 23 days he spent in jail after his June arrest. Once released from jail, Choate will spend two years on house arrest.
Moreland withheld adjudication, meaning Choate was not found guilty of any crime and is not a convicted felon.
Choate acted as a confidential informant in 2013 in a multi-agency investigation, which led to the arrests of two firefighters, three sheriff's deputies, a personal trainer and four 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 worked at the sheriff's office from 1995 to 2011.
Choate became involved in the investigation when he sold steroids to another confidential informant. After that, he agreed to work with the agencies, handing over the names of people who bought steroids from him, continuing those transactions and pursuing potential new buyers — all the while having his phone calls recorded or wearing a wire.
Choate was arrested in February 2014, but avoided jail time in the case. Instead, he was given two years of probation when he took a deal on one count of sale or delivery of a controlled substance and two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell or deliver. Choate was not adjudicated guilty of those crimes. Choate was the only person accused of distribution crimes to not face federal charges in the case.
Choate, who is prohibited from owning guns as part of his probation, was accused of selling several firearms at a local pawn shop, leading to his arrest this summer.
