Who Is Zachary Wester? Has Settlement Reached In His Case?

Zach Wester, a former North Florida deputy, has been convicted of planting drugs on innocent drivers, leaving the victims to face a range of consequences that have now resulted in a nearly seven-figure settlement.

More than 30 individuals who had been arrested by Wester, sued and agreed to the settlement after a daylong meeting at U.S. District Court in Pensacola last October.

The amounts vary depending on the damages each plaintiff suffered from losing jobs and custody of their kids as a result of false arrests.

Wester was employed by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office for two years before being fired after incriminating body-cam evidence came to light including stored drug paraphernalia in his patrol car’s trunk.

He was found guilty on charges including racketeering and official misconduct, leading to his current 12 1/2-year sentences in Colorado.

The magistrate presiding over the case will require both parties to submit a joint motion for dismissal in regard to exact terms within the month.

Some plaintiffs are already receiving their funds, while lawyers associated with the Florida Sheriff’s Risk Management Fund are not yet commenting on the particulars of the settlement.

Additionally, Jackson County Sheriff Donald Edenfield did not address any questions concerning this matter.

The effects on Wester’s victims are very real as many were left without employment or even struggling against child custody issues due to wrongful arrests and incarceration based solely on fabricated claims of meth possession.

This settlement serves as necessary restitution and should encourage victims facing similar injustice outside of this case to stand up and pursue justice through legal means.

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