Ex-Fla. trooper sentenced on drug charge in Conn.

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) — A former Florida state trooper has been sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to a federal charge for his role in a conspiracy to sell painkiller pills.

Federal prosecutors said 29-year-old Justin Kolves was sentenced Friday in U.S. District Court in Bridgeport. He pleaded guilty in March to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone.

U.S. Attorney David Fein said Kolves was paid by a drug dealer to help with illegal transport and sale of oxycodone pills. Prosecutors said Kolves traveled to Connecticut three times last year to serve as a bodyguard for the drug dealer during illegal oxycodone transactions.

Three former Transportation Security Administration officers and a former Westchester County, N.Y., police officer also have pleaded guilty in the investigation.

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