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Clearwater Officer Arrested, Accused of Helping Drug Traffickers Evade Police

On August 6, 2024, detectives from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Clearwater Police detective on eight felony public corruption charges. The arrest follows a yearlong investigation into a drug trafficking organization in Pinellas County, dubbed “Operation Snow Cap.”

During the investigation, 32-year-old Fredrick Lise, a member of the Clearwater Police Department Narcotics Unit, was informed of the operation to gather additional intelligence. Lise had access to confidential law enforcement databases. However, it was discovered that over several months, Lise had sent multiple text messages to two main suspects, Matthew Turner and Henry Smith, warning them that they were under surveillance.

Earlier today, Lise was arrested and taken to the Pinellas County Jail. He has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation by the Clearwater Police Department.

At a press conference, Sheriff Gualtieri stated, “Lise is supposed to be looking out for cops, not putting them in harm’s way. Lise was supposed to be getting drugs off the street, not protecting drug traffickers so they could sell more drugs. Lise has betrayed everything that law enforcement officers stand for. At the end of the day, he’s a corrupt cop that needs to go to prison.”

Chief Gandy added, “This leaves me really angry beyond belief – he’s the president of the officers’ union and he represents hundreds of Clearwater officers and their interests. It appears that he put the interest of drug traffickers over those interests of his own officers.”

Lise has been with Clearwater Police since 2014.

To view the full press conference, see below

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