Former Sheriff's Deputies Charged with Steroid Possession

Two former Manatee County Sheriff’s deputies were arrested Friday afternoon and charged with possession of performance enhancing drugs, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

Sgt. Tom Frank, 45, formerly of the Patrol Division and Christopher Tucker, 39, formerly of the Child Protection Investigation Division, are each charged with possession of anabolic steroids after they allegedly purchased the drugs from an undercover informant.

Both men recently resigned from their positions; Frank had been with the department since 1995 while Tucker started in 1997, according to a report.

Another former deputy remains under criminal investigation with charges pending.

A fourth deputy is on administrative leave pending the investigation’s outcome, but is not facing criminal charges.

Beginning in January, the department used an informant to investigate several individuals believed to be involved with the possession and distribution of steroids, the report states.

The MCSO investigation is in conjunction with an investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the report said.

On July 26, Frank, met the informant, who was wired with a video and audio recorder, at Gecko’s Grill and Pub, 4310 State Road 64, Bradenton, around noon in his marked patrol car, according to the report. Frank was allegedly wearing his uniform.

During lunch, Frank reportedly warned the informant that someone had told him he was “dealing in steroids.” Frank then allegedly ordered a vial of “Monster,” a type of steroid.

On July 31, Frank met the informant at Publix, 9005 U.S. 301, Parrish, and purchased a vial, the report said. Frank drove straight home and “looked extremely shocked” when he was approached by detectives asking to search his patrol car; they found the vial in his center console, according to the report.

On August 1, Tucker allegedly asked the informant for a supply of five vials of liquid steroids, agreeing to the price of $300 over a recorded phone call and designating the  same Parrish Publix as the meeting place, a report states.

Tucker reportedly met with the informant around 5:45 p.m., exited his silver Honda Accord and got in the passenger seat of the informant’s vehicle. Tucker and the informant were overheard via hidden microphone, talking about the effects of the drug, a report states. The incident was also recorded on video, the report states.

Ten minutes later, Tucker left, the report states. He was later arrested at his home after a pat down by a detective revealed the drugs in his left pocket, according to the report.

The MCSO is not releasing any additional information at this time.