A state prosecutor has been arrested on a drug charge after he was allegedly caught buying pills from an undercover Brevard County detective. John Toppa III, 29, of Melbourne, was arrested Wednesday by the Brevard County Sheriff's Office Special Investigations Unit after he allegedly purchased Roxicodone pills valued at $200 during an undercover operation. A police report says Toppa made the purchase in the parking lot of a Lowe's store in Rockledge. >>Download the WESH 2 News app for iOS and Android Investigators said additional drugs were found in Toppa’s car. He is charged with five counts of possessing a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Toppa was an assistant state prosecutor for the 18th Judicial Circuit of Florida, which covers Brevard and Seminole counties. He was assigned to a felony trial division and was hired in 2013. State Attorney Phil Archer announced Thursday that Toppa had been fired. "As we have seen in countless cases, the pill epidemic affects all families and all professions. However, as public servants sworn to uphold the rule of law, every member of my office has a responsibility to perform their duties with honesty and integrity,” Archer said.

A state prosecutor has been arrested on a drug charge after he was allegedly caught buying pills from an undercover Brevard County detective.

John Toppa III, 29, of Melbourne, was arrested Wednesday by the Brevard County Sheriff's Office Special Investigations Unit after he allegedly purchased Roxicodone pills valued at $200 during an undercover operation.


A police report says Toppa made the purchase in the parking lot of a Lowe's store in Rockledge.



>>Download the WESH 2 News app for iOS and Android



Investigators said additional drugs were found in Toppa’s car.

He is charged with five counts of possessing a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Toppa was an assistant state prosecutor for the 18th Judicial Circuit of Florida, which covers Brevard and Seminole counties. He was assigned to a felony trial division and was hired in 2013.

State Attorney Phil Archer announced Thursday that Toppa had been fired.

"As we have seen in countless cases, the pill epidemic affects all families and all professions. However, as public servants sworn to uphold the rule of law, every member of my office has a responsibility to perform their duties with honesty and integrity,” Archer said.