An ex-sheriff’s deputy who racked up drug arrests, apparently in hopes of getting promoted to the narcotics squad, by planting drugs during traffic stops was sentenced to 12½ years in prison by a Florida judge on Thursday, July 15, 2021. See story here and here.
Zachary Wester’s wife and other supporters pleaded for leniency, describing him as a “man of God,” a “family man,” and a pillar of the community. A friend even said of him, ““We need more men like him to bring healthy change to our community. Zach is an asset to everyone’s life, not a liability. He deposited hope in their lives, inspiration, motivation and encouragement.”
That’s poppycock. Wester is a vicious criminal who preyed on innocent victims for personal gain. He was charged with 67 crimes, and convicted of 19 of them, including racketeering, official misconduct, fabricating evidence, and false imprisonment. The prosecutor said his “falsified court records were used to convict people of crimes they didn’t commit.” Many of them served jail time. All suffered damaged reputations and upended lives.
Add taxpayers to the list of probable victims, because they’re suing (see story here), and given dozens of victims, and the severity of harm they suffered, the county’s liability will run into many millions of dollars.
In a civilized society, few things are more unsettling than a criminal in police uniform exploiting the enormous power of government to stalk and prey on citizens. Wester deserves a long prison sentence. He’s a monstrosity.
Photo: Zachary Wester, highwayman