Post by WaTcHeR on Apr 25, 2006 9:01:11 GMT -5
04/24/2006 - GREENEVILLE (AP) -- A former sheriff's deputy caught in a major federal-state probe into public corruption in Cocke County was sentenced Monday to eight years in federal prison.
Larry Dodgin, 27, was sentenced in Greeneville for drug trafficking and possessing a firearm.
He was arrested ten months ago for trying to buy $60,000 worth of cocaine from an undercover FBI agent. He pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with authorities.
That cooperation led to the arrests of four other Cocke County Sheriff's Department officers, including former Chief Deputy Patrick Taylor and his brother Jarrod Taylor.
The Taylors formally pleaded guilty today to one count of conspiring to traffic in stolen NASCAR apparel.
Their uncle, long-time Sheriff D.C. Ramsey, resigned after court papers revealed he was a target in the probe but no charges have been brought against him.
The five-year probe also shuttered two brothels and uncovered two illegal cockfighting operations, leading to the arrest of 143 spectators.
Larry Dodgin, 27, was sentenced in Greeneville for drug trafficking and possessing a firearm.
He was arrested ten months ago for trying to buy $60,000 worth of cocaine from an undercover FBI agent. He pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with authorities.
That cooperation led to the arrests of four other Cocke County Sheriff's Department officers, including former Chief Deputy Patrick Taylor and his brother Jarrod Taylor.
The Taylors formally pleaded guilty today to one count of conspiring to traffic in stolen NASCAR apparel.
Their uncle, long-time Sheriff D.C. Ramsey, resigned after court papers revealed he was a target in the probe but no charges have been brought against him.
The five-year probe also shuttered two brothels and uncovered two illegal cockfighting operations, leading to the arrest of 143 spectators.