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Post by KC on Sept 23, 2006 20:30:52 GMT -5
Incompetent sheriff's department aren't they? Sheriff Robbie Thomas hasn't a clue to what's going on does he?
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Post by KC on Sept 23, 2006 20:30:52 GMT -5
Incompetent sheriff's department aren't they? Sheriff Robbie Thomas hasn't a clue to what's going on does he?
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Post by KC on Sept 23, 2006 20:29:07 GMT -5
September 23, 2006 - COTULLA — La Salle County Sheriff Robbie Thomas walked into his department's evidence room in the cramped fourth floor of the county courthouse last February to get some cocaine to use in a sting operation with the FBI. He couldn't find it. The disappearance of two packages of cocaine exposed the Sheriff's Department's inadequate procedures for handling narcotics: There were no procedures. And it placed tremendous pressure on Thomas to prove to county officials and the public that he's in charge of his officers. The FBI and Texas Rangers are aiding a district attorney's office investigation of the incident, and a La Salle County grand jury is hearing evidence in the case. "I'm upset that this happened. It's unfortunate that it happened under my watch," Thomas said recently. Since the investigation's start, the Sheriff's Department has hired an attorney to help write procedures for handling evidence and moved the evidence room from the courthouse to a more secure location. But the entire department remains under scrutiny, and this ranching community is awash in rumors and theories of what transpired. As the investigation into the missing drugs picked up steam, five deputies resigned or were fired. The sheriff denies the personnel matters were linked to the probe. "There's no connection," Thomas said. "They violated department policies and I had to take action on them." Then there was a car accident involving Thomas while he was on patrol Aug. 13, just days before he was to testify before the grand jury. According to a Texas Department of Public Safety report, Thomas was engaged in a high-speed chase when the SUV he was driving skidded off the road. The sheriff wasn't wearing a seat belt and injured his chest, the report states. He was airlifted to University Hospital in San Antonio. Thomas rejected the thoughts voiced by local skeptics who think the timing of the crash was no accident. "There is no truth to that," Thomas said, adding that he testified as planned. District Attorney Rene Peñaof the 81st Judicial Districtcalled the situation "very sensitive" and would not provide details of the case, citing the ongoing investigation. "I think it's very serious any time there is evidence not accounted for, especially in the Sheriff's Office," Peña said. "We're several weeks away from knowing what happened," he added. The fourth floor of the courthouse is a catch-all for files from all departments, with boxes piled in corners. But only sheriff's personnel had keys that could open the white metal evidence cell. At first, Thomas thought the drugs were misplaced, and he didn't inform county commissioners of the incident until months later, in June. Then the investigation began. The failure to report the missing cocaine right away caused county officials to question the sheriff's competence. "It's very important to get to the very bottom of this process and determine who's at fault, or if anyone is at fault, for the missing narcotics," La Salle County Judge Joel Rodriguez said. "Until then, I feel the relationship between the Sheriff's Office and DPS, the Texas Rangers and federal agencies is damaged, hindering the ability of the department to seek outside assistance in solving crimes." Thomas, 40, has worked in the Sheriff's Department for two decades in a variety of positions. He assumed the top job in 2004, after the previous sheriff resigned. Thomas subsequently was elected to the post. At a Commissioners Court meeting last week, Thomas let the department's attorney do most of the explaining about the new evidence handling procedures. As the pressure keeps piling on, the sheriff says he is not jumping to conclusions about whether one of his deputies stole cocaine from the evidence room. "I'll let the DA and the Rangers and the FBI look at what they've heard," Thomas said. He's also taking lessons from the fracas. "I'm more strict now," the sheriff said. www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/stories/MYSA090806.05B.sheriff_scrunity.32dfbc1.html
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Post by KC on Sept 23, 2006 20:29:07 GMT -5
September 23, 2006 - COTULLA — La Salle County Sheriff Robbie Thomas walked into his department's evidence room in the cramped fourth floor of the county courthouse last February to get some cocaine to use in a sting operation with the FBI. He couldn't find it. The disappearance of two packages of cocaine exposed the Sheriff's Department's inadequate procedures for handling narcotics: There were no procedures. And it placed tremendous pressure on Thomas to prove to county officials and the public that he's in charge of his officers. The FBI and Texas Rangers are aiding a district attorney's office investigation of the incident, and a La Salle County grand jury is hearing evidence in the case. "I'm upset that this happened. It's unfortunate that it happened under my watch," Thomas said recently. Since the investigation's start, the Sheriff's Department has hired an attorney to help write procedures for handling evidence and moved the evidence room from the courthouse to a more secure location. But the entire department remains under scrutiny, and this ranching community is awash in rumors and theories of what transpired. As the investigation into the missing drugs picked up steam, five deputies resigned or were fired. The sheriff denies the personnel matters were linked to the probe. "There's no connection," Thomas said. "They violated department policies and I had to take action on them." Then there was a car accident involving Thomas while he was on patrol Aug. 13, just days before he was to testify before the grand jury. According to a Texas Department of Public Safety report, Thomas was engaged in a high-speed chase when the SUV he was driving skidded off the road. The sheriff wasn't wearing a seat belt and injured his chest, the report states. He was airlifted to University Hospital in San Antonio. Thomas rejected the thoughts voiced by local skeptics who think the timing of the crash was no accident. "There is no truth to that," Thomas said, adding that he testified as planned. District Attorney Rene Peñaof the 81st Judicial Districtcalled the situation "very sensitive" and would not provide details of the case, citing the ongoing investigation. "I think it's very serious any time there is evidence not accounted for, especially in the Sheriff's Office," Peña said. "We're several weeks away from knowing what happened," he added. The fourth floor of the courthouse is a catch-all for files from all departments, with boxes piled in corners. But only sheriff's personnel had keys that could open the white metal evidence cell. At first, Thomas thought the drugs were misplaced, and he didn't inform county commissioners of the incident until months later, in June. Then the investigation began. The failure to report the missing cocaine right away caused county officials to question the sheriff's competence. "It's very important to get to the very bottom of this process and determine who's at fault, or if anyone is at fault, for the missing narcotics," La Salle County Judge Joel Rodriguez said. "Until then, I feel the relationship between the Sheriff's Office and DPS, the Texas Rangers and federal agencies is damaged, hindering the ability of the department to seek outside assistance in solving crimes." Thomas, 40, has worked in the Sheriff's Department for two decades in a variety of positions. He assumed the top job in 2004, after the previous sheriff resigned. Thomas subsequently was elected to the post. At a Commissioners Court meeting last week, Thomas let the department's attorney do most of the explaining about the new evidence handling procedures. As the pressure keeps piling on, the sheriff says he is not jumping to conclusions about whether one of his deputies stole cocaine from the evidence room. "I'll let the DA and the Rangers and the FBI look at what they've heard," Thomas said. He's also taking lessons from the fracas. "I'm more strict now," the sheriff said. www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/stories/MYSA090806.05B.sheriff_scrunity.32dfbc1.html
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Post by KC on Sept 23, 2006 20:02:51 GMT -5
Septmeber 23, 2006 - A Richfield police officer with hundreds of dollars in his pockets pulled his Jaguar into a Burger King parking lot where he was handed cocaine in a brown paper bag, according to criminal charges filed Friday. Officer Robert M. Nielsen stowed the cocaine in his car trunk before authorities arrested him inside the restaurant, the document said. Nielsen, 48, of Prior Lake, made his first appearance in Hennepin County District Court on Friday on a charge of second-degree possession of a controlled substance. Bail was set at $30,000. Assistant County Attorney Douglas Myren said in court that the charge showed a serious violation of public trust by Nielsen, a Richfield police officer since 1993. Myren also said there are concerns about Nielsen's mental health, his personal safety, and his use of cocaine and possibly other illegal drugs. In defense of Nielsen, attorney Julie Nelson said he has a wife and six children. She said that another attorney, Fredric Bruno, has arranged for a chemical dependency assessment. According to the criminal complaint, a man identified as a "cooperating defendant" informed Nielsen in a recorded telephone conversation that he had 14 grams of cocaine (about half an ounce) that they had discussed. And Nielsen said he had $450 in cash. They met at the restaurant at Nicollet Avenue and Interstate Hwy. 494 at 4 p.m. Wednesday. The complaint said authorities found $450 in Nielsen's pockets. District Judge William Howard asked that Nielsen be kept under close watch while he remains jailed. Nielsen's next court appearance was scheduled for Oct. 13. He is on paid administrative leave. www.startribune.com/467/story/696117.html
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Post by KC on Sept 23, 2006 20:02:51 GMT -5
Septmeber 23, 2006 - A Richfield police officer with hundreds of dollars in his pockets pulled his Jaguar into a Burger King parking lot where he was handed cocaine in a brown paper bag, according to criminal charges filed Friday. Officer Robert M. Nielsen stowed the cocaine in his car trunk before authorities arrested him inside the restaurant, the document said. Nielsen, 48, of Prior Lake, made his first appearance in Hennepin County District Court on Friday on a charge of second-degree possession of a controlled substance. Bail was set at $30,000. Assistant County Attorney Douglas Myren said in court that the charge showed a serious violation of public trust by Nielsen, a Richfield police officer since 1993. Myren also said there are concerns about Nielsen's mental health, his personal safety, and his use of cocaine and possibly other illegal drugs. In defense of Nielsen, attorney Julie Nelson said he has a wife and six children. She said that another attorney, Fredric Bruno, has arranged for a chemical dependency assessment. According to the criminal complaint, a man identified as a "cooperating defendant" informed Nielsen in a recorded telephone conversation that he had 14 grams of cocaine (about half an ounce) that they had discussed. And Nielsen said he had $450 in cash. They met at the restaurant at Nicollet Avenue and Interstate Hwy. 494 at 4 p.m. Wednesday. The complaint said authorities found $450 in Nielsen's pockets. District Judge William Howard asked that Nielsen be kept under close watch while he remains jailed. Nielsen's next court appearance was scheduled for Oct. 13. He is on paid administrative leave. www.startribune.com/467/story/696117.html
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Post by KC on Sept 13, 2006 21:00:04 GMT -5
Sept. 13, 2006 - A Butler County Sheriff's deputy is in hot water. Deputy Tyson Bennett was arrested for buying a controlled substance. Deputy Bennett spent Monday night in jail after Sheriff Diane Harris set up a sting. Harris says Bennett admitted to buying 10 pills of the pain killer, Lortab, from a confidential informant. She says he also admitted being hooked on the drug and was taken to jail. Sheriff Harris tells WSFA 12 News, "He was a sergeant and about two or three weeks ago I demoted him because of a lack of interest in the job and performing his job as a supervisor. So, I put him back down as a deputy sheriff and then this came along and this was the final straw." As of Tuesday night, Bennett is out on bond. If convicted, the sheriff says he will no long be able to work in law enforcement. www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=5400065&nav=0RdE
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Post by KC on Sept 13, 2006 21:00:04 GMT -5
Sept. 13, 2006 - A Butler County Sheriff's deputy is in hot water. Deputy Tyson Bennett was arrested for buying a controlled substance. Deputy Bennett spent Monday night in jail after Sheriff Diane Harris set up a sting. Harris says Bennett admitted to buying 10 pills of the pain killer, Lortab, from a confidential informant. She says he also admitted being hooked on the drug and was taken to jail. Sheriff Harris tells WSFA 12 News, "He was a sergeant and about two or three weeks ago I demoted him because of a lack of interest in the job and performing his job as a supervisor. So, I put him back down as a deputy sheriff and then this came along and this was the final straw." As of Tuesday night, Bennett is out on bond. If convicted, the sheriff says he will no long be able to work in law enforcement. www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=5400065&nav=0RdE
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Post by KC on Aug 3, 2006 0:42:40 GMT -5
August 03, 2006 - A Topeka police officer was arrested Wednesday. Former Topeka narcotics Officer Bruce Voigt, was booked into jail on 10 charges. After years of serving warrants, Voigt was served himself Wednesday. The Shawnee County jail says he was indicted July 21st, but not booked for another 12 days. He faces six counts of making false writings and four counts of perjury. Last September he was initially arrested on 130 charges, including misconduct, theft and false writings, that number then climbed to 144, but by his preliminary hearing in May the number of charges was down to just 20, then the case was dismissed at the defense's request. A request that stemmed from prosecutors asking to delay the preliminary hearing to find two witnesses, former police officers Ron Erwin and Frank Pase. District Court Judge Richard Anderson said it shouldn't have been that difficult find them and that led to the dismissal. At the time, District Attorney Robert Hecht said once his office found the officers, he would decide what to do. No word on wether he's located those officers. For now Voigt is out on bond, awaiting his appearance in court. www.wibw.com/home/headlines/3481337.html
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Post by KC on Aug 3, 2006 0:42:40 GMT -5
August 03, 2006 - A Topeka police officer was arrested Wednesday. Former Topeka narcotics Officer Bruce Voigt, was booked into jail on 10 charges. After years of serving warrants, Voigt was served himself Wednesday. The Shawnee County jail says he was indicted July 21st, but not booked for another 12 days. He faces six counts of making false writings and four counts of perjury. Last September he was initially arrested on 130 charges, including misconduct, theft and false writings, that number then climbed to 144, but by his preliminary hearing in May the number of charges was down to just 20, then the case was dismissed at the defense's request. A request that stemmed from prosecutors asking to delay the preliminary hearing to find two witnesses, former police officers Ron Erwin and Frank Pase. District Court Judge Richard Anderson said it shouldn't have been that difficult find them and that led to the dismissal. At the time, District Attorney Robert Hecht said once his office found the officers, he would decide what to do. No word on wether he's located those officers. For now Voigt is out on bond, awaiting his appearance in court. www.wibw.com/home/headlines/3481337.html
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Post by KC on Jul 11, 2006 20:14:46 GMT -5
July 11, 2006 - NEWARK, N.J. - A New Jersey police officer now living in North Carolina is one of six indicted today on charges of protecting targets of a drug ring by tipping them off about imminent raids in return for some of the drugs. Among those charged is Passaic (pah-SAY'-ik) County Sheriff's Officer Gerry Ward, whose current address is in Gastonia. A prosecutor says it wasn't really a drug distribution for profit, but instead more of a social relationship between the officers and the targets. The main drugs involved were the powerful painkiller OxyContin and the sleeping pill Ambien. Eventually, the officers realized their friends were being investigated for drugs and decided to help them by tipping them off about impending raids or investigations, McCann said. The officers were arrested within the past 18 months. www.wwaytv3.com/Global/story.asp?S=5136498&nav=menu70_2
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Post by KC on Jul 11, 2006 20:14:46 GMT -5
July 11, 2006 - NEWARK, N.J. - A New Jersey police officer now living in North Carolina is one of six indicted today on charges of protecting targets of a drug ring by tipping them off about imminent raids in return for some of the drugs. Among those charged is Passaic (pah-SAY'-ik) County Sheriff's Officer Gerry Ward, whose current address is in Gastonia. A prosecutor says it wasn't really a drug distribution for profit, but instead more of a social relationship between the officers and the targets. The main drugs involved were the powerful painkiller OxyContin and the sleeping pill Ambien. Eventually, the officers realized their friends were being investigated for drugs and decided to help them by tipping them off about impending raids or investigations, McCann said. The officers were arrested within the past 18 months. www.wwaytv3.com/Global/story.asp?S=5136498&nav=menu70_2
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Post by KC on Aug 30, 2006 23:22:32 GMT -5
August 30, 2006 - HOUSTON - Two former U-S air marshals have been sentenced to prison for accepting 15-thousand dollars to smuggle cocaine on a flight to Las Vegas last year. Thirty-eight-year-old Burlie Sholar the Third and 32-year-old Shawn Ray Nguyen admitted in plea bargains in April that they accepted money to smuggle 33 pounds of cocaine. U-S District Judge Kenneth Hoyt on Monday sentenced Sholar to nine years in prison on charges of bribery and conspiring to possess, with intent to distribute, cocaine. Nguyen received a shorter sentence of seven years and three months for cooperating with investigators. Both men will be under supervised release for five years after their prison terms. According to the criminal complaint, Nguyen smuggled two envelopes containing drug money and fraudulent government documents past airport security in December. Nguyen then discussed with the informant smuggling large loads of cocaine and bringing in others to help. www.kesq.com/Global/story.asp?S=5347386&nav=9qrx
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Post by KC on Aug 30, 2006 23:22:32 GMT -5
August 30, 2006 - HOUSTON - Two former U-S air marshals have been sentenced to prison for accepting 15-thousand dollars to smuggle cocaine on a flight to Las Vegas last year. Thirty-eight-year-old Burlie Sholar the Third and 32-year-old Shawn Ray Nguyen admitted in plea bargains in April that they accepted money to smuggle 33 pounds of cocaine. U-S District Judge Kenneth Hoyt on Monday sentenced Sholar to nine years in prison on charges of bribery and conspiring to possess, with intent to distribute, cocaine. Nguyen received a shorter sentence of seven years and three months for cooperating with investigators. Both men will be under supervised release for five years after their prison terms. According to the criminal complaint, Nguyen smuggled two envelopes containing drug money and fraudulent government documents past airport security in December. Nguyen then discussed with the informant smuggling large loads of cocaine and bringing in others to help. www.kesq.com/Global/story.asp?S=5347386&nav=9qrx
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Post by KC on Feb 13, 2006 19:13:34 GMT -5
02/13/2006 - HOUSTON - Two U.S. air marshals face federal drug charges accusing them of using their positions to smuggle narcotics through airport security and onto planes for transport, federal prosecutors said.
Shawn Ray Nguyen, 38, and Burlie L. Sholar III, 32, both of Houston, were arrested Thursday after an informant delivered 33 pounds of cocaine and $15,000 in "up front money" to Nguyen's Houston home, authorities said.
"We expect and demand that our law enforcement officials will themselves abide by the laws that they are sworn to uphold," said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Don DeGabrielle.
According to a criminal complaint, authorities began investigating Nguyen in November after receiving a tip that he was involved in selling drugs.
Authorities said Nguyen recruited Sholar and the two planned to smuggle 33 pounds of cocaine aboard a plane bound for Las Vegas in exchange for $67,500.
Both men face 10 years to life in prison and a $4 million fine if convicted.
The exact number of air marshals is classified but thousands were rushed into service after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
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Post by KC on Feb 13, 2006 19:13:34 GMT -5
02/13/2006 - HOUSTON - Two U.S. air marshals face federal drug charges accusing them of using their positions to smuggle narcotics through airport security and onto planes for transport, federal prosecutors said.
Shawn Ray Nguyen, 38, and Burlie L. Sholar III, 32, both of Houston, were arrested Thursday after an informant delivered 33 pounds of cocaine and $15,000 in "up front money" to Nguyen's Houston home, authorities said.
"We expect and demand that our law enforcement officials will themselves abide by the laws that they are sworn to uphold," said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Don DeGabrielle.
According to a criminal complaint, authorities began investigating Nguyen in November after receiving a tip that he was involved in selling drugs.
Authorities said Nguyen recruited Sholar and the two planned to smuggle 33 pounds of cocaine aboard a plane bound for Las Vegas in exchange for $67,500.
Both men face 10 years to life in prison and a $4 million fine if convicted.
The exact number of air marshals is classified but thousands were rushed into service after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
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Post by KC on Jul 12, 2006 21:25:46 GMT -5
July 12, 2006 - Two off-duty police officers and an off-duty correction officer were arrested yesterday in unrelated incidents, the police said. Officer Milton Smith, 44, a patrol officer in the 46th Precinct in the Bronx, was arrested after officers saw him buying marijuana at West 179th Street and University Avenue in Morris Heights at 4:15 a.m., the police said. He was charged with possession of marijuana, the authorities said. About 5 a.m., Officer Roberto Bharat, 28, an officer in the 103rd Precinct in Queens, was arrested and charged with assault after he allegedly slapped his girlfriend, the authorities said. Her name was not released. Officer Smith has been a police officer since 1995, and Officer Bharat joined the force in 2001, the police said. Both were suspended from duty, the police said. Yesterday's arrest of the correction officer, Raul Malave, 43, was related to a dispute on Thursday. That day, he was driving a car that clipped a carpet being carried across a street in Woodside, Queens, a law enforcement official said. Officer Malave and two carpet delivery men exchanged words, and the officer lifted his shirt to show them his gun, the official said. Officer Malave, who works at Rikers Island, faces charges including menacing and harassment, according to a spokeswoman for Richard A. Brown, the Queens district attorney. www.nytimes.com/2006/07/09/nyregion/09cops.html
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Post by KC on Jul 12, 2006 21:25:46 GMT -5
July 12, 2006 - Two off-duty police officers and an off-duty correction officer were arrested yesterday in unrelated incidents, the police said. Officer Milton Smith, 44, a patrol officer in the 46th Precinct in the Bronx, was arrested after officers saw him buying marijuana at West 179th Street and University Avenue in Morris Heights at 4:15 a.m., the police said. He was charged with possession of marijuana, the authorities said. About 5 a.m., Officer Roberto Bharat, 28, an officer in the 103rd Precinct in Queens, was arrested and charged with assault after he allegedly slapped his girlfriend, the authorities said. Her name was not released. Officer Smith has been a police officer since 1995, and Officer Bharat joined the force in 2001, the police said. Both were suspended from duty, the police said. Yesterday's arrest of the correction officer, Raul Malave, 43, was related to a dispute on Thursday. That day, he was driving a car that clipped a carpet being carried across a street in Woodside, Queens, a law enforcement official said. Officer Malave and two carpet delivery men exchanged words, and the officer lifted his shirt to show them his gun, the official said. Officer Malave, who works at Rikers Island, faces charges including menacing and harassment, according to a spokeswoman for Richard A. Brown, the Queens district attorney. www.nytimes.com/2006/07/09/nyregion/09cops.html
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Post by KC on Jun 14, 2006 22:21:24 GMT -5
June 14, 2006 - VANCEBURG -- A former Lewis County deputy pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges in Lewis Circuit Court Monday.
Officer Jeffrey Robert Ginn, 54, entered a guilty plea on two counts of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, two counts of second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and one count each of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of less than 8 ounces of marijuana.
Sentencing for Ginn will be held July 7, according to Lewis County Deputy Dwayne Stone. Ginn received six years on each first-degree trafficking charge; five years on each second-degree trafficking charge and 12 months on the remaining charges. All sentences are to run concurrently for a total of six years.
Ginn served as a deputy from 1982 to 1998 under former sheriffs Jeffrey Cooper and Virgil Cole, leaving when current Sheriff Bill Lewis was elected to his first term.
The former deputy was one of numerous subjects of a countywide investigation of drug activity conducted by the sheriff's office during 2004.
Stone said Carl Marshall, who was arrested at the same time as Ginn, chose to go to trial instead of accepting a plea bargain. He was convicted last month and sentenced to 15 years in prison. According to the indictment handed down in December, 2004, one of the second-degree trafficking charges against Ginn stemmed from another alleged Oxycontin deal that occurred later that month.
The three other charges leveled against Ginn originated from alleged drug activity conducted on Nov. 24, 2004, the date he and 14 others were arrested by sheriff's officials.
Ginn possessed 56 Lorcet tablets, Adapex and other controlled substances, a homemade pipe, aluminum foil, baking soda, marijuana and several firearms when he was taken into custody, deputies said.
"We took about $3,000 in cash from this raid and several fire arms, which will be forfeited to the sheriff's office," Stone said. "We want to make an impression on dealers that we will not only take their money, we will take their homes and vehicles."
The marijuana possession charge is a class A misdemeanor, while three of the four trafficking charges are class C felonies.
One of the second-degree trafficking charges is considered a class D felony, as is the possession of drug paraphernalia charge.
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Post by KC on Jun 14, 2006 22:21:24 GMT -5
June 14, 2006 - VANCEBURG -- A former Lewis County deputy pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges in Lewis Circuit Court Monday.
Officer Jeffrey Robert Ginn, 54, entered a guilty plea on two counts of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, two counts of second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and one count each of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of less than 8 ounces of marijuana.
Sentencing for Ginn will be held July 7, according to Lewis County Deputy Dwayne Stone. Ginn received six years on each first-degree trafficking charge; five years on each second-degree trafficking charge and 12 months on the remaining charges. All sentences are to run concurrently for a total of six years.
Ginn served as a deputy from 1982 to 1998 under former sheriffs Jeffrey Cooper and Virgil Cole, leaving when current Sheriff Bill Lewis was elected to his first term.
The former deputy was one of numerous subjects of a countywide investigation of drug activity conducted by the sheriff's office during 2004.
Stone said Carl Marshall, who was arrested at the same time as Ginn, chose to go to trial instead of accepting a plea bargain. He was convicted last month and sentenced to 15 years in prison. According to the indictment handed down in December, 2004, one of the second-degree trafficking charges against Ginn stemmed from another alleged Oxycontin deal that occurred later that month.
The three other charges leveled against Ginn originated from alleged drug activity conducted on Nov. 24, 2004, the date he and 14 others were arrested by sheriff's officials.
Ginn possessed 56 Lorcet tablets, Adapex and other controlled substances, a homemade pipe, aluminum foil, baking soda, marijuana and several firearms when he was taken into custody, deputies said.
"We took about $3,000 in cash from this raid and several fire arms, which will be forfeited to the sheriff's office," Stone said. "We want to make an impression on dealers that we will not only take their money, we will take their homes and vehicles."
The marijuana possession charge is a class A misdemeanor, while three of the four trafficking charges are class C felonies.
One of the second-degree trafficking charges is considered a class D felony, as is the possession of drug paraphernalia charge.
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