FHP Trooper facing drug, firearms charges

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.  – A Jacksonville man who has worked as a Florida Highway Patrol Trooper for 22 years has been charged with being an illegal user of narcotics while possessing firearms, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida has announced.

Joshua Earrey, 44, has been charged by criminal complaint, said United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg. Earrey faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison if convicted.

According to the criminal complaint, Earrey unlawfully used a controlled substance and possessed a firearm from at least as early as November 7, 2022, through December 5, 2022. He has been employed as a Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) Trooper for approximately 22 years and was assigned as a Task Force Officer with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in June 2020.

A complaint is merely a charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, with assistance from United States Customs and Border Protection. Assistant United States Attorney William Hamilton will prosecute it.

The United States Attorney’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, and United States Customs and Border Protection thank the Florida Highway Patrol and the Drug Enforcement Administration for their cooperation during this investigation.