Pubdate: Wed, 04 Sep 2002
Source: Greenville News (SC)
Copyright: 2002 The Greenville News
Contact:  http://greenvillenews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/877
Author: John Boyanoski

OFFICER ACCUSED OF TIPPING OFF DRUG DEALERS

A Greenville city police officer was indicted Wednesday on charges he sold 
information about ongoing narcotics investigations to drug dealers for money.

Timothy R. Irvin, 34, of 5049 Old Augusta Road, has been placed on 
administrative paid suspension awaiting a hearing before the city's Civil 
Service Commission and a court appearance within the next five days, said 
state Attorney General Charlie Condon.

"Let there be no doubt," he said. "Officials must obey the same laws as the 
citizens they protected."

The 11-year veteran of the city's police force is charged with one count of 
criminal conspiracy and one count of official misconduct, Condon said. 
Allegations are that Irvin had been selling investigative information to 
known drug dealers since 1994.

Conviction on a charge of criminal conspiracy carries a maximum penalty of 
five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. The maximum sentence for official 
misconduct is 10 years and a fine determined by the court.

Condon could not go into detail about the case because it was handled by 
the state grand jury, which was started in the early 1990s to perform more 
thorough investigations of things such as public corruption.

"We're making sure that we can clean up our own problems," he said.

The investigation leading to Irvin's indictment began roughly two years ago 
when it became apparent there was a leak in the department, according to 
Greenville Police Chief Willie Johnson.

The reason he is going to the Civil Service Commission is because Johnson 
only has the power to suspend for five days, and the commission handles all 
other personnel matters.

"Our suspension of Officer Timothy Irvin will protect the integrity of the 
department while the charges are pending, and will not jeopardize his 
having a fair trial," Johnson said.

Condon said there is no further investigation into any other officers.

"Nothing betrays public trust or destroys public confidence more than a 
police officer alleged to have gone bad," he said. "Nothing less is tolerated."
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