WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. — 9 Investigates obtained a Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigative summary that accuses a former Winter Springs police officer of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and official misconduct.
The State Attorney’s Office argued there was not enough physical or forensic evidence to charge the officer.
Investigative reporter Karla Ray has been following problems inside the Winter Springs Police Department for months. She learned the former officer, Garfield Armagon, resigned.
Armagon told Ray by phone he did nothing wrong and called the investigation “fabricated.”
During the investigation, a confidential informant told Internal Affairs the former officer was present during alleged drug deals, and regularly hung out with known drug dealers.
Accused drug dealers told police the officer was known to them, and was in a romantic relationship with a known drug user.
A text message conversation relayed to investigators detailed a possible exchange of a package believed to be marijuana.
“Put it in a bag and Armogan will come get it,” the text said.
According to FDLE’s investigation, around 30 minutes after those texts were exchanged, the former officer showed up to an apartment on Moss Road, just down the street from police headquarters, and took the package.
By phone, Armagon said the allegations were fabricated and he plans to take legal action against the department. During the investigation, he claimed the package he transported was food.
The State Attorney’s Office pointed out in its decision not to charge him that there was no way to prove the package contained marijuana, and if it did, there is no way to prove that Armagon knew.
The FDLE investigation was sent to the State Attorney’s Office in Seminole County for potential charges, but Armagon told 9 Investigates that the office did not press charges.
Cox Media Group
