Pubdate: Sun, 22 Sep 2002 Source: State, The (SC) Copyright: 2002 The State Contact: http://www.thestate.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/426 Author: Associated Press Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/corrupt.htm (Corruption - United States) OFFICER, INFORMANT DENY CHARGES Augusta, Ga -- A veteran Augusta narcotics officer and a former member of the Richmond County sheriff's crime suppression unit pitted their credibility against a prosecution list brimming with convicted drug dealers Friday. Ralph Tyrone Williams, 36, and Joseph Ellick, 34, testified that they are innocent of the drug-trafficking charges handed down by a federal grand jury in February. They are accused of conspiring from 1997 through August 2000 to possess and distribute more than 50 grams of crack. The indictment also alleged that Williams extorted money from a drug dealer. "It was only talk on my part; that's why it never happened," Ellick testified about statements he made to Ernest Smith as they discussed what they would do to a Columbia drug dealer coming to Augusta. This week, the jury heard tape recordings of Ellick and Smith discussing how they could rob the dealer of his drugs and get away with it, The Augusta Chronicle reported. Ellick also testified that he was lying and acting like he was conspiring with Smith because that was the best way to keep him cooperating. Smith wasn't a formal confidential informant, but he was a source of information that helped the crime suppression team make dozens of misdemeanor arrests in drug areas, Ellick said. The jury is expected to begin deliberations by Monday afternoon. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake