Pubdate: Fri,  6 Sep 2002
Source: Daily Post-Athenian (TN)
Copyright: 2002 East Tennessee Network - R.A.I.D. (Regionalized Access Internet
Contact:  http://dpa.xtn.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1673
Author: Ben Benton

DRUG CHIEF FIRED, WAIVES ARRAIGNMENT

CLEVELAND - Ken Wilson, the director of the 10th Judicial District Drug 
Task Force, was officially fired from his job by DTF Board members 
Wednesday evening during a called meeting at District Attorney General 
Jerry Estes' office in Bradley County.

Wilson, 53, of 179 County Road 633, Etowah, was arrested around 11:30 
Tuesday night and now faces charges of simple possession of Schedule II 
drugs, according to court records.

This morning, Wilson waived his arraignment and entered a plea of not 
guilty to the charges, court records stated. The arrest followed an 
investigation begun Tuesday by Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Special 
Agent In Charge Richard Brogan and agents David Guy and Scott Randolph.

The drugs were allegedly seized by TBI agents during the investigation at 
Wilson's home near Etowah, according to authorities.

According to an affidavit filed in McMinn County General Sessions Court 
today by Brogan, the drugs, allegedly cocaine, were seized at Wilson's 
residence after he gave authorities consent to search.

"During the execution of the search, white powder was found by agents of 
the TBI, with the said Mr. Wilson stating that the powder was his and that 
it was cocaine," Brogan state in the affidavit.

Wilson is to appear next in General Sessions Court Oct. 31, according to 
court records.

Simple possession of cocaine is a Class A misdemeanor, according to 
Tennessee Code Annotated.

Estes called the DTF Board meeting in Cleveland Wednesday in the wake of 
the allegations against Wilson to "discuss the future activities of the DTF 
and possibly discuss what's to be done about the director."

The TBI conducted a presentation to the Board during a closed session at 
the beginning of the meeting, then took up the discussion afterward. The 
voting Board members present included Estes, McMinn County Sheriff Steve 
Frisbie, Monroe County Sheriff Don Watson, Polk County Sheriff Bill Davis, 
Bradley County Sheriff Dan Gilley and Athens Police Chief Chuck Ziegler. 
McMinn County Chief Deputy Tim Smith also attended the meeting as Frisbie's 
second, in the event the sheriff is unable to attend any meetings related 
to the DTF.

With little discussion among the sheriffs and single police chief present, 
Ziegler made a motion that Wilson be terminated from his post, seconded by 
Davis.

The six Board members present voted unanimously to fire Wilson, who has 
been at the post for the past four years. The firing took effect at midnight.

Immediately following the motion, Gilley made a motion to install Bradley 
County deputy and former DTF member Jack Damuth as the interim DTF 
director. The motion was unanimously approved.

Damuth has been with the Bradley County Sheriff's Department for just two 
weeks but Gilley said he has considerable experience and had a 25-year 
career in the U.S. military's Special Forces.

Estes said after the meeting he didn't think Wilson's arrest would affect 
the prosecution of any pending cases under investigation by the DTF.

"I anticipate few problems because he was not involved in any of the cases 
we have pending," Estes said.

Estes said the TBI investigation could take some time because of the amount 
of paperwork and inventory agents are undertaking in the investigation.

"Because of our close working relationship with the DTF, we won't be 
prosecuting the case," Estes said.

Estes said he would likely asked for assistance from the state 
Comptroller's Office and noted the case would be prosecuted by a Pro tem 
District Attorney's office yet to be named.

Estes said he was told by one of his assistant district attorneys that an 
informant had contacted her regarding the possibility that evidence was 
missing the the Charleston DTF office's evidence storage lock-up.

He said the allegations constituted enough reason to call in the TBI to 
investigate.

The DTF Board also approved a motion that newly-appointed Damuth begin a 
review of the DTF's policies and procedures.

"I assume we'd to this as a long term project," Estes commented.

And in a related motion by Ziegler, the DTF Board approved a motion for 
Assistant District Attorney Shari Tayloe to set guidelines for the search 
for a new DTF director.

Following the meeting Estes commented on the allegations' effect on him. 
"It's totally disappointing," he said. "There's no doubt that trust and 
confidence was put into this individual. There's a tremendous amount of 
disappointment."

But Estes said he felt there would be a positive outcome to the investigation.

"Over the years this DTF has done a good job; there are still some good 
employees," he said. "I see the DTF and law enforcement in this district 
will bounce back stronger than ever."

The local DTF is usually comprised of five agents and a director, according 
to officials.

Wilson appeared in General Sessions Court this morning for arraignment on 
the charges. The agency, headquartered in Charleston, is supervised by the 
DTF Board which meets quarterly, according to Estes, who chairs the Board.

Authorities said more charges could be filed as the investigation 
continues. Estes said there was possibly more evidence missing from the DTF 
evidence lock up, but he said he could not elaborate.

Estes said the investigation could take a considerable amount of time 
because a large amount of paperwork must be matched to evidence, and an 
out-of-district prosecutor would have to take the case.
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