Pasco deputies facing drug charges

Monday, March 17, 2008

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Deputies Don Riggans (left) and Rodney Philon (right) were arrested Sunday.

WESLEY CHAPEL (Bay News 9) --Two Pasco County Sheriff's deputies have been arrested on drug charges.

Deputy Don Riggans, 34, and Cpl. Rodney Philon have been arrested for allegedly dealing in hydrocodone.

Both deputies were fired shortly after being arrested.

A SWAT team was called in to assist in the arrest of Philon.

Deputies arrived at his home home on Seashell Court in the Villages of Wesley Pointe subdivision around 9 a.m.

Pasco County Sheriff Bob White said Philon refused to come to the door when they tried to talk to him at his house. White said they thought his family might be in danger, so they brought in a SWAT team for help.

Philon eventually surrendered and no one was injured.

According to a Department of Justice press release, Riggans allegedly conspired with civilians Kevin Massimino, 32, and Robert Caddick, 41, to distribute hydrocodone.

In one case Riggans allegedly received $9,000 in cash from Massimino for his assistance.

Massimino and Caddick were arrested Sunday morning.