Pubdate: Tue, 23 May 2000 Source: Florida Times-Union (FL) Copyright: The Florida Times-Union 2000 Contact: http://www.times-union.com/ Forum: http://cafe.jacksonville.com/cafesociety.html Author: Kathleen Sweeney and Jim Schoettler GRAND JURY HEARS POLICE OFFICER, INMATE IN PROBE OF DRUG TIPS A Jacksonville police officer and an inmate testified yesterday before a federal grand jury investigating allegations that police tipped off drug dealers and were possibly involved in robbery and murder. Two other officers subpoenaed before the grand jury yesterday didn't testify. One didn't testify because of time constraints, and the other appeared and left with an attorney. His lawyer wouldn't comment about why his client didn't testify. Since grand jury proceedings are secret, nothing was revealed about yesterday's proceedings. But court records indicate the probe, which has led to three police officers being stripped of their police powers, may last several more months. Records show three drug dealers cooperating with federal prosecutors in the case have had their sentencings postponed once again as the probe continues. The records show that Abdul Robinson, Derrick Smith and Dondricka Bates, who have agreed to plea bargains on drug charges and were scheduled to be sentenced next week, have had their sentencing delayed for another 90 days. Their sentencing was previously postponed so they could work with prosecutors. "Defendants are cooperating with the United States, but their cooperation has not been completed," records said of the most recent delay. Officer Reginald Bones, who testified yesterday, has worked with two of the officers stripped of their guns and badges by Sheriff Nat Glover because of allegations made during the probe. Glover said he first asked federal authorities about 18 months ago to investigate what he called a breach of confidence between police and drug dealers. A federal task force investigating the tipping allegations has broadened the probe to include possible police involvement in two homicides and several robberies. Since the probe began, Officers Aric Sinclair, Karl Waldon and Eric Maddox have been taken off the street, but no charges have been filed against them. A few officers, including Waldon and Maddox, have testified before the grand jury. Police records show Bones had previously worked with Waldon and Sinclair in narcotics for about four months. Bones, 33, is now working in patrol. Also called to testify was Officer Jason Pough, a 33-year-old former narcotics detective who now teaches in the fifth-grade Drug Abuse Resistance Education program, and Officer Mario Potts, 36, who works in patrol. Potts did not testify, and Pough was represented by Jacksonville lawyer Paul Perez. Perez wouldn't comment yesterday about the case. None of the officers called to the federal courthouse would comment. The unidentified inmate arrived at the federal courthouse in shackles and a green jailhouse jumpsuit. He testified for more than an hour. - --- MAP posted-by: Don Beck