Veteran police officer charged with helping her son avoid capture in major drug investigation

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Florida police officer is facing charges after authorities say she helped her son avoid capture in a major drug investigation.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office reports that 42-year-old Betty Pearson was arrested Wednesday and charged with aiding escape. She was later released on $25,000 bail. Jail records didn't list an attorney.

Authorities say Pearson's son, 20-year-old Antoine Pearson Jr., and her former husband, 42-year-old Antoine Pearson Sr., were involved in a cocaine-trafficking operation running from Texas to Jacksonville. The Florida Times-Union (http://goo.gl/ELSXNB ) reports that the sheriff's office on Thursday announced the seizure of more than 70 pounds of cocaine, 16.5 pounds of marijuana and nearly $479,000 in cash.

Officials say Betty Pearson alerted her son to police coming after him.

He was arrested Aug. 21 after fleeing from detectives as they tried to serve a cocaine conspiracy arrest warrant at his Westside home.

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Information from: The (Jacksonville) Florida Times-Union, http://www.jacksonville.com