Rutherford Co. Deputy Facing Federal Cocaine Charges - Erika Lathon

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - A Rutherford County Sheriff's Deputy is accused of cocaine trafficking. Federal agents say the officer attempted to collect about 15lbs. of cocaine from a courier. Sheriff Robert Arnold isn't holding back.I think I speak for every law enforcement officer in the country, says Sheriff Arnold. When it comes to dirty cops, I have no damn use for him.The Sheriff is talking about Luis Reynaldo Parra-Flores, who was arrested by DEA officers last week. According to the U.S. Attorney's office, a courier flew into Nashville International with 7 kilograms of cocaine in his luggage. Parra-Flores was arrested when he allegedly tried to take possession of the drugs.We as a department have a black eye and a busted jaw right now, says Sheriff Arnold. Mr. Floures definitely ruined any respect the community had in him.Federal agents say Parra-Flores was carrying a firearm and his department issued badge. It's a badge Sheriff Arnold destroyed.I didn't want his badge to ever be worn by anybody to say that they're protecting the public again, says Sheriff Arnold. So, I just wanted it destroyed.A patrol officer since 2008, Parra-Flores had undergone an extensive background check. In 2011, he received an award when he fired shots to stop a burglary suspect who rammed another officer's patrol car. Now he's off the job, accused of working against the law he swore to uphold.One, I ask the community not to judge us or law enforcement as a whole based off of this one person's actions, says Sheriff Arnold. This is a disgrace for our department, but we'll get through this.If convicted, Parra-Flores faces 10 years to life in prison and a $10 million fine. _______________ Stay up to date with our social media: WZTV on Facebook:   / foxnashville   WZTV on Twitter:   / foxnashville   Subscribe to WZTV on YouTube:    / @fox17nashville   Daily News Playlist:    • Playlist   For more information, visit https://fox17.com/ Have a news tip? Send it directly to us: Email us: [email protected] Call the Newsroom: 615.369.1717 Fox 17 provides local news, weather, sports, traffic and entertainment for Nashville and nearby towns and communities in Middle Tennessee, including Forest Hills, Brentwood, Franklin, Fairview, Dickson, Clarksville, White House, Greenbrier, Springfield, Gallatin, Hartsville, Lebanon, Mt Juliet, Smyrna, College Grove, Thompson’s Station, Centerville, Murfreesboro, Columbia, Lewisburg, Shelbyville, Manchester, McMinnville, Smithville, Sparta, Cookeville, Hohenwald, Waverly, Camden, Paris, Lafayette, Portland, and in Kentucky, Russelville, Bowling Green, Franklin, Alvaton, Scottsville, Hopkinsville, Glasgow. #WZTV #fox17news #foxnashville