Arrest of Osceola deputy sheriff threatens 43 criminal cases

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) – According to court records, a recent drug arrest of an Osceola County deputy sheriff has jeopardized 43 pending cases against accused thieves and drug dealers.

The Orlando Sentinel (http://bit.ly/1MUIDcW ) reports that the Orange-Osceola State Attorney’s Office sent out notices last week to defense lawyers and must decide which of the cases 38-year-old Jason Sigman was involved with can be prosecuted without Sigman’s testimony.

Sigman was arrested July 25 after authorities say he bought 20 prescription painkillers from an informant wearing a wire while the sheriff’s drug squad listened to the transaction.

Assistant State Attorney Michael Hunt says Sigman could still be called to testify, but that testimony could be compromised.

Charged with trafficking in oxycodone, Sigman was released on $50,000 bond and could not be reached by the newspaper for comment.