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Fort Myers deputy charged in drug planting conspiracy

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A Lee County sheriff’s deputy is facing charges that he conspired to arrest an innocent person on drug charges in exchange for sexual favors and a trip to Paris.

Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said Friday that Deputy Niko Irizarry had been fired and charged with falsifying an official document.

Investigators said 37-year-old Charles Custodio had a vendetta against the victim and promised Irizarry he would provide the trip and would arrange for the sex if he made the arrest.

Custodio then had a third man, Scott Snider, pose as a real estate agent and plant drugs in the person’s car.

Investigators say Irizarry then performed a traffic stop and arrested the victim on drug charges.