ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — 9 Investigates uncovered an investigation into whether critical information was leaked to a suspected criminal, putting local agents and the public at risk.
Eyewitness News first reported in July when accused cocaine dealer Curtis Ruff, 39, allegedly went on the run to avoid being arrested.
Now, despite a judge's order to seal the warrant, new court documents confirm Ruff was warned about his pending arrest. He ended up turning himself in at the Orange County Jail about a week later.
Photos: Central Florida cocaine trafficking bust
Channel 9's Karla Ray learned only a few people knew that Ruff was a target and those were agents involved in the case and the Clerk's Office, where the warrant was filed.
Ray asked both agencies on Thursday whether they believe any of their employees helped notify Ruff of his pending arrest.
Less than four hours after a warrant was filed and supposed to be sealed at the courthouse, Ruff received a telephone call from a woman warning him that a warrant had been issued for his arrest.
WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer said that amounts to being an accessory to a felony.
"Any individual who tipped off this suspect that there was a sealed indictment with their name in it may face up to 15 years in prison a second-degree felony," Sheaffer said.
Ruff and eight others are accused of moving kilos of cocaine through central Florida, spending the money they earned on lavish things like luxury homes and cars.
Officials named Dave "Chino" Romero, 36, and Ruff, as the leaders of a cocaine-trafficking organization. They said Ruff, Romero and seven others moved kilos of cocaine through central Florida using hidden compartments in vehicles, and spending the money they earned on lavish things like luxury homes and cars.
But agents said Ruff left it all behind, along with his wife and kids, the night he was set to be arrested.
MBI officials told Channel 9 they don’t believe any of their employees were involved in the leak, but they are investigating where and who it might have come from.
Romero and Ruff have extensive criminal histories, including 12 and 22 felony arrests, respectively, and lived in high-end, gated communities.
Other members of the organization charged were Jair Javier Olivo Ramirez, Angel L. Valdes Jr., Wilson Martinez Rodriguez, Antonio Davis and Darrell Williams, according to officials.