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Two Hillsborough Sheriff’s Captains Fired as Academic Cheating Probe Widens

The dismissals follow an internal probe into paid ghostwriting for FBI National Academy coursework.

Overview

  • HCSO confirmed that Capt. Zuleydis “Zuly” Stearns and Capt. Marvin Johnson were terminated as part of the investigation.
  • Stearns oversaw the communications and records section, and Johnson served as a deputy commander for District 2.
  • At least six agency leaders have now resigned or been removed, including Col. Christopher Rule, Col. Michael Hannaford, and Capt. Lora Rivera.
  • The inquiry began after former Chief Deputy Anthony Collins admitted using a writer for Academy assignments and stepped down following a July tip from his wife.
  • Reporters obtained emails linking Collins to a writer identified as Robert Roush, the agency notified the FBI National Academy, and the sheriff will withhold further comment until the review concludes.