Tag: Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office

A promising law enforcement career took an unexpected turn when Hillsborough County Deputy Anthony Collins resigned in July. The departure followed accusations of academic dishonesty in an elite FBI leadership program, brought forth by his own wife, Alexandra Collins. The allegations have significantly impacted Collins’ fast-rising trajectory within the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

Accusations Surface Amidst Marital Turmoil

Alexandra Collins reportedly sent an email early one morning to over two dozen law enforcement officials, including her husband’s colleagues, detailing an alleged “serious incident of academic dishonesty.” She stated she felt an ethical obligation to report his misconduct after he moved out of their home during marital difficulties. Her message emphasized that such behavior violates FBI Academy standards and undermines the professionalism expected of all law enforcement personnel.

The email included screenshots of exchanges between Collins and an acquaintance, Robert Roush, who Alexandra described as someone who previously wrote papers for Collins. The messages appeared to show Collins forwarding FBI National Academy class materials and login information, with Roush subsequently providing essays and summaries. One message from Roush stated, “Here is our paper. It meets the guidelines and requirements without focusing too much on the personal.”

Admission and Sheriff’s Reaction

Sheriff Chad Chronister personally confronted Collins, who admitted that approximately “half” of his coursework was completed by someone else. Chronister expressed his devastation, stating he had “high expectations” for Collins and his future impact on the Sheriff’s Office. He noted that this admission would have led to Collins’ termination and likely placement on the Brady list, a record of officers with credibility issues, which Chronister described as a “death sentence in law enforcement.”

Collins, however, denied wrongdoing in a statement to The Tampa Bay Times, claiming any assistance received was limited to proofreading and formatting, similar to what many students and executives use. Roush also denied ghostwriting, characterizing his role as tutoring and accessing classwork only to review the syllabus, asserting “no ill intent at all.”

Internal Inquiry and Resignation

Alexandra Collins’ email also contained allegations of an extramarital affair and a domestic incident involving one of their children, though investigators found these claims unsubstantiated. The academic dishonesty accusation, however, prompted an internal inquiry that concluded with Collins’ resignation just four days later. In an email to the entire office, Collins stated his decision was “purely personal” and made after “deep reflection and many heartfelt conversations with my loved ones,” adding that he did not want his personal life to cause “unwarranted distractions to the workplace.”

The FBI was notified of the allegations but has not announced any further action. The sheriff’s internal investigation concluded with Collins’ resignation, and Roush was never interviewed before the case was closed.