Florida Prosecutor Moves to Overturn 2,600 Convictions from Unconstitutional Drug Sting Operations

Broward prosecutor Harold F. Pryor has taken steps to begin vacating up to 2600 drug related convictions from the 80's and 90's.

Written by: Sam Orlando

A Reckoning for Past Misconduct

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - Broward County, Florida, is taking a historic step toward justice by addressing one of the most notorious police scandals in the state’s history. In the late 1980s, the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) conducted sting operations where deputies manufactured crack cocaine and sold it to unsuspecting individuals, resulting in thousands of arrests.

Now, nearly four decades later, State Attorney Harold F. Pryor is working to overturn up to 2,600 convictions from these operations, which were declared unconstitutional by the Florida Supreme Court in 1993.

The Florida Supreme Court’s Landmark Ruling

In the 1993 case State v. Williams, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that BSO’s reverse-sting operations violated due process. The Court labeled the practice “outrageous” and deemed it incompatible with the principles of justice.

“The conduct of law enforcement in these cases was so egregious that it crossed the line into unconstitutional behavior,” the Court noted. By manufacturing and distributing crack cocaine, the deputies themselves engaged in illegal activities, effectively fueling the same drug epidemic they claimed to combat.

The decision set a precedent by affirming that government agents cannot break the law to enforce it, as such actions erode public trust in law enforcement and the judicial system.

State Attorney Pryor’s Commitment to Justice

In December 2024, Harold Pryor announced an initiative to vacate the convictions tied to these unconstitutional operations. “It is never too late to do the right thing,” Pryor said in a public statement. “We cannot ignore the harm caused to individuals, families, and communities by these unjust prosecutions.”

Pryor’s office is conducting a thorough review of cases from 1988 to 1990, focusing on individuals arrested and convicted after purchasing police-manufactured drugs. The review will identify those eligible to have their convictions overturned.

To ensure a collaborative effort, Pryor has partnered with Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony, who supports the initiative. The review will also pave the way for sealing or expunging records, alleviating the long-term impacts of these wrongful convictions.

A Step Toward Restoring Trust

The initiative addresses more than just outdated convictions; it represents an opportunity to rebuild public trust in the criminal justice system. For decades, those convicted under these unconstitutional operations have faced significant challenges, including limited employment opportunities, housing discrimination, and social stigma.

Pryor’s effort signals a growing commitment to accountability and reform within the justice system, particularly in cases where law enforcement practices have been deemed unethical or illegal.

“Justice delayed does not have to mean justice denied,” Pryor added, emphasizing the importance of taking corrective action, no matter how much time has passed.