Florida prosecutor seeks to overturn 2,600 crack cocaine convictions

A Florida prosecutor says he seeks to vacate as many as 2,600 crack cocaine convictions of people who bought the drug manufactured by the Broward County Sheriff’s Office for sting operations between 1988 and 1990.

Crack cocaine convictions may be dismissed in Florida

Broward County State Attorney Harold F. Pryor said while his office was reviewing old records, prosecutors realized that many people may still have criminal charges or convictions on their records because of the sting operation.

“It is never too late to do the right thing,” Pryor said in a statement.

Some people caught in the sting operation may have been convicted of serious felonies because they bought drugs within 1,000 feet (300 meters) of a school. Conviction under that law required at the time that defendants be sentenced to at least three years in prison.

Supreme Court

The Florida Supreme Court ruled in 1993 that people couldn’t be charged in cases where the sheriff’s office made the crack cocaine and undercover deputies then sold it to buyers who were arrested and charged.

The review will take “a considerable amount of time,” Pryor said. He said his office will contact people who may be affected.