Florida sheriff’s deputy fired, accused of planting drug in exchange for sex, deputies say

FORT MYERS, Fla. — A Florida sheriff’s deputy is facing charges that he conspired to arrest an innocent person on drug charges in exchange for sexual favors and a trip to Paris.

Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said Friday that Deputy Niko Irizarry, 25, had been fired and charged with falsifying an official document.

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“Nobody is above the law, and that includes our deputies,” Marceno said.

Investigators said Charles Custodio, 37, had a vendetta against the victim and promised Irizarry he would provide the trip and would arrange for the sex if he made the arrest. Custodio then had a third man, Scott Snider, pose as a real estate agent and plant drugs in the person’s car, investigators said.

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Custodio then told Irizarry where he could find the victim. Investigators said Irizarry then performed a traffic stop and arrested the victim on drug charges.

Custodio and Snider, 29, were arrested for trafficking in fentanyl, possession of a controlled substance, and conspiracy.

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It could not be determined Saturday if the three men have attorneys.

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The Associated Press contributed to this article.

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