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Boynton Beach Cop Awaiting Trial On Drug Charges Takes Off

MIAMI (CBS4) – A Boynton Beach police officer scheduled to go on trial next month on drug charges is on the run.

Twenty eight year David Britto, who was named "Officer of the Year" in 2010, removed his ankle monitor, broke house arrest and a curfew, according to authorities.

Britto was arrested in July on federal drug charges. He allegedly conspired to sell more than 500 grams of methamphetamines between June 2009 and March 2011.

Britto has pleaded not guilty.

A former Marine, Britto joined the Boynton Beach police department in 2007. He also taught in the department's Teen Police Academy. He received the department's highest honor last year for, among other things, using CPR to save a 2-year old girl who almost drowned in the family's pool and helping to identify a man suspected of shooting two street preachers.

Britto's attorney says he hopes the officer will report back to authorities.

He faces a potential life sentence if convicted.

(TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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