Dontrell Stephens, who was awarded $23 million by a jury after a shooting by a Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office deputy that left him paralyzed, has been arrested and charged with selling drugs.
Stephens' shooting was highlighted in the joint WPTV/Palm Beach Post investigation Line of Fire in 2015 that focused on deputy-involved shootings by PBSO.
Stephens, who was unarmed, was shot by Deputy Adams Lin in September 2013.
Stephens, 23, was arrested on three warrants Thursday and charged with selling heroin, marijuana and cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school or church.
Investigators say he sold drugs in front of the Royal Palm Beach YMCA daycare.
Friday morning a judge set bond for Stephens at $48,000.
"He was singled out. I think he was absolutely singled out. I think this is completely related to the lawsuit,” said defense attorney Ian Goldstein following the court hearing.
A spokesperson for the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said, in part, "Dontrell Stephens' attorney can justify his actions, but he broke the law on more than one occasion and he was arrested on those charges."
Goldstein says Stephens hasn't seen any money from the sheriff's office and does not have any money to bond out.
State Representative Dave Kerner believes Stephens could look to state leaders for help to get at least some of that $23 million.
"They would have to get a bill passed into law authorizing that to occur. That process is very complex. It's very difficult and typically it is not successful."
The investigation into the shooting of Stephens resulted in a review of the department's Internal Affairs department and policy changes within the agency.