Former Fernandina Beach Police Department officer, John Lee Finley.
The State Attorney’s Office has opted to drop the charges against a former Fernandina Beach Police Department officer, John Lee Finley, accused in June of this year of drugging and sexually assaulting a woman while she slept.
Law enforcement arrested Finley and charged him with two counts of sexual battery, possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor battery after a woman came forward claiming he had drugged and “date raped” her.
A field test of a substance found in a cup near Finley’s bed at the alleged crime scene tested originally tested positive for amphetamines. The disposition statement states that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s laboratory test of the substance, however, found the substance was not amphetamines. Tests determined it to be phentermine, a drug frequently used to promote weight loss and which law enforcement determined both Finley and his accuser were taking.
“The toxicological evidence leaves (redacted) testimony as the only incriminating evidence in this case,” the disposition statement reads. “The State’s investigation has further determined that (redacted) allegations of her purported assault are inconsistent such that her testimony is not reliable.”
FBPD officials confirmed Finley will not be rehired by the department.