Former HCSO sergeant arrested on drug, domestic violence charges

AVON PARK -- A domestic dispute has led to a long list of drug charges against a former Highlands County Sheriff’s Office sergeant. 

Deputies were called to the home of 56-year-old James Edward Casey late Tuesday night in reference to a domestic battery complaint. Casey, 56, was arrested for felony domestic battery (by strangulation). During the investigation, a small amount of methamphetamine and 13 unprescribed lorazepam pills were discovered in Casey’s home office. That led to additional charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and possession of drug paraphernalia. 

A further search after a warrant was obtained found even more drugs inside the home on Wednesday, all of which detectives say belonged to Casey. They included 114 alprazolam (Xanax) pills, 11.7 grams of methamphetamine, 4.6 grams of cocaine and .5 grams of heroin. Scales and funnels with drug residue as well as a ledger with amounts and prices were also located, as were numerous firearms. 

Casey was additionally charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, possession of cocaine with intent to sell, possession of heroin with intent to sell, possession of alprazolam with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a weapon during the commission of a felony and for refusing to surrender firearms after a being served with a risk protection order.

Casey retired from the HCSO in 2013 as a sergeant after more than 27 years of service. His bond was set at $35,000.

Note: Not all arrests result in convictions. Everyone is considered innocent until proven guilty in court.

Casey, James Edward