SARATOGA COUNTY— Veteran County Sheriff’s Deputy Charles E. Fuller, 46, has been arrested by the FBI for his participation in a cocaine trafficking sting.
During the time of his arrest, certain personal belongings such as his car, were taken and he was charged for his attempt to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.
“Disappointing is the word that I’ve been saying all day. I think the other members of the department have the same mind set, they’re disappointed.” said Saratoga County Sheriff, Michael Zurlo.
Fuller was a 24 year member of the department with 14 years as a desk officer and the remaining 10 as a road deputy.
The investigation by the FBI has been in operation for at least two months and it eventually produced a criminal complaint accusing Fuller of meeting with a confidential FBI source on January 24 to discuss the transportation of the cocaine. The allegations continued to state that the source met with Fuller on February 19 to transport 250 grams of imitation cocaine for $4 a gram; a thousand dollars in total.
The alleged criminal acts continued until this past Thursday, February 27, when the last meeting between the source and Fuller took place. It was at this meeting that Fuller was paid $4,000 in marked money.
“He’s suspended without pay pending the outcome of this federal investigation. We will closely watch it as it progresses through the court system and take the appropriate action once everything is finalized.” Zurlo said.
Deputy Fuller is due to appear on March 3 at a detention hearing in Federal court. If convicted he could face 5 to 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000,000.