Ex-deputy's lapse sends him to prison

Christopher Madiedo, who robbed evidence lockers to feed a cocaine habit, was on probation until he was caught smoking crack.

By CHRISTOPHER GOFFARD, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 15, 2003

TAMPA -- Christopher Madiedo, the former Hillsborough County sheriff's deputy who repeatedly looted evidence lockers to feed an out-of-control drug habit, will go to prison.

Hillsborough Circuit Judge Ronald Ficarrotta on Friday sentenced Madiedo to six years and 10 months in state prison, despite a defense attorney's plea that the disgraced deputy needs treatment rather than incarceration.

It was the same plea Madiedo's lawyers made last June after he pleaded guilty to impersonating an officer, official misconduct, tampering with evidence, possession of cocaine and marijuana and trafficking in cocaine.

At the June sentencing, Judge Ficarrotta gave Madiedo a huge break.

Though Madiedo faced up to 121 years in prison, the judge sentenced him to house arrest and drug treatment.

But in December, Madiedo, 28, violated his probation by smoking $40 worth of crack cocaine at the DACCO drug treatment center in Tampa and leaving the facility without permission.

Defense attorney Ron Hanes told the judge Friday that Madiedo was still struggling with his drug addiction.

"This is a person who's hurting," Hanes said. "This is a person who continues to hurt."

Madiedo did not seek out drugs while at the DACCO center, Hanes said. Another resident offered them to him. It amounted to a drug being "put in the addict's nose," Hanes said.

Asking the judge for understanding, Madiedo said: "I don't think I was ready for somebody to put it in front of my face like that."

Prosecutor Suzy Rossomondo said Madiedo had already enjoyed more chances than most defendants are afforded, and she derided the notion that Madiedo's culpability was somewhat lessened because someone brought drugs to him.

"I find that appalling," she said. "It's Madiedo who went and used the drugs."

Judge Ficarrotta said the question boiled down to whether the court should seek to rehabilitate Madiedo or punish him.

This time, the judge chose punishment.

"This is not drug court. This is not a rehabilitation court," Ficarrotta said. "We've been down the treatment road, and it hasn't worked."

Madiedo's status as a former law officer will make him a target in prison, necessitating special protection, said Gary Trombley, one of his attorneys.

"He is probably going to receive the most severe type of confinement," Trombley said. "He won't see the light of day."

Beyond his looting of evidence lockers, Madiedo had a colorful history at the Sheriff's Office. He shot an unarmed motorist after a struggle in August 1998, and in April 2000 he claimed he was shot point-blank in the chest by a suspect, though there were no witnesses.

-- Christopher Goffard can be reached at 226-3337 or goffard@sptimes.com .

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