Pubdate: Thu, 16 Jan 2003
Source: Daily Post-Athenian (TN)
Copyright: 2003 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
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/corrupt.htm (Corruption - United States)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

EX-DTF CHIEF WAIVES CHARGES TO GRAND JURY

The Drug Task Force director arrested in September on simple possession of 
cocaine charges waived his case to the McMinn County Grand Jury during a 
scheduled preliminary hearing this morning.

Kenneth D. Wilson, the former director of the 10th Judicial District's DTF 
located in Charleston, waived his right to a preliminary hearing in General 
Sessions Court and the case will now be presented to the McMinn County 
Grand Jury in February.

Wilson, 53, of 179 County Road 633, Etowah, was charged with simple 
possession of cocaine after Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agents 
responded to the DTF office Sept. 3, 2002, following information that was 
relayed to District Attorney General Jerry Estes, according to authorities.

No other charges have been filed in the case but new charges could arise 
from the Grand Jury's review of evidence presented next month, according to 
court records and officials.

In September, 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 from the Charleston DTF office's evidence storage 
lock up.

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

Wilson was fired from his post by the DTF Board the day following his 
arrest and a new director has been installed.

Roxanne Blackwell, a former detective with the Bradley County Sheriff's 
Department, was named to the director's position in November. Another 
Bradley County officer, Jack Damuth, had been named interim director until 
Blackwell was chosen to head the office.

The Grand Jury will now decide whether the evidence presented by TBI agents 
warrants an indictment on the charge.

The Grand Jury will report its findings March 3, court officials said.