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The Creation of Rachel’s Law
In 2008, police in Florida arrested a 23-year-old woman named Rachel Morningstar Hoffman, a college graduate, after finding six Ecstasy pills, 151.7 grams of marijuana, and other drug paraphernalia in her apartment. A neighbor had reported the smell of marijuana coming from Rachel’s unit, prompting a visit from police. When officers arrived and asked whether she had any illegal substances, Rachel admitted she did and allowed them to search her apartment.
Facing multiple charges and possible prison time, Rachel was given a deal by Tallahassee Police Officer Ryan Pender. In exchange for dropping the charges — and without informing the prosecutor’s office — Pender asked Rachel to work as a confidential police informant. Her first assignment was dangerous: she was asked to buy 1.5 ounces of cocaine, 1,500 Ecstasy pills, and a firearm from two known felons, Deneilo R. Bradshaw 28 years old and Andrea Jabbar Green 25 years old , who had been under surveillance by police.
