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Highlands Today

Suspended AP Police Officer Pleads Not Guilty

Adam Wayne Willis, 30

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Brad Dickerson

Published: December 15, 2008

SEBRING - A written plea of not guilty was entered Monday for an Avon Park police officer charged with police misconduct.

Adam Wayne Willis, 30, is charged with armed burglary of a structure or conveyance and grand theft over $300. The defendant, who is represented by attorney William Fletcher, was not present for Monday's arraignment. A pretrial conference is scheduled for Feb. 18 at 8:30 a.m.

Willis, who had been with the APPD since September 2006, was arrested Nov. 19 following an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Sebring field office into police misconduct. The charges stem from an undercover operation administered by special agents with the FDLE and the Avon Park Police Department.

A vehicle equipped with electronic surveillance devices, as well as a wallet containing money, was parked along North Central Avenue in Avon Park, according to the arrest report. All the doors were unlocked and the driver's side door was left slightly open.

Willis reportedly arrived at the location after receiving an anonymous complaint of a suspicious vehicle in the area. He was on duty, wearing an APPD patrol uniform and armed with a semi-automatic handgun.

Footage from the electronic surveillance equipment reportedly showed Willis, with gloved hands, get into the vehicle and removing the wallet from the console.

Less than two weeks later, a second Avon Park officer was arrested by the FDLE and charged with extortion.

Alberto Perez, 33, an officer with the APPD since July 2007, has an arraignment set for Jan. 5.

Highlands Today reporter Brad Dickerson can be reached at (863) 386-5838 or bdickerson@highlandstoday.com

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