Pubdate: Tue, 16 Nov 2004
Source: Daily Post-Athenian (Athens, TN)
Copyright: 2004 The Daily Post-Athenian
Contact:  http://dpa.xtn.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1673
Author: Ben Benton
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

EX-DTF HEAD WILSON PLEADS TO DRUG CHARGES

CHATTANOOGA - Former 10th Judicial District Drug Task Force Director Ken 
Wilson has pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to drug charges that were 
transferred from state to federal court in October.

U.S. Assistant District Attorney Paul Laymon said late Friday that Wilson 
pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to distribute marijuana and 
possession of cocaine during the hearing held last Wednesday.

Laymon said Wilson was indicted on the conspiracy to distribute marijuana 
charge in connection with at least 176 pounds of the drug which were 
missing from a 1,000-pound seizure that was confiscated by DTF agents in a 
traffic stop.

"He acknowledged in his plea to stealing at least 176 pounds of marijuana," 
Laymon said.

The cocaine possession charge relates to a small amount of cocaine found in 
Wilson's possession, according to Laymon.

Wilson could face up to 20 years in prison, but Laymon said a U.S. Supreme 
Court decision on whether federal sentencing guidelines are constitutional 
is still pending and the outcome of that decision could affect Wilson's 
sentence.

Wilson is to appear in federal court for sentencing March 4, 2005, 
according to federal officials.

According to court documents in McMinn County Criminal Court, Wilson's 
charges of simple possession of Schedule VI marijuana, simple possession of 
Schedule II cocaine and DUI were ordered nolle prosequi on a state motion 
filed Oct. 7.

The change came after Wilson was charged on federal indictments, court 
records stated.

The state motion was made by Assistant District Attorney General Gary 
McKenzie of the District Attorney's office in Cookeville.

McKenzie's office was named pro tem prosecutor of the case after District 
Attorney Jerry Estes' office recused itself from the case. The 10th 
Judicial District DTF operates closely with the local District Attorney's 
office on criminal cases.

Contacted Wednesday in Cookeville, McKenzie said the state's charges were 
adopted by the federal court in Chattanooga.

Wilson, now 55, was arrested Sept. 4, 2002, after a TBI raid at the Drug 
Task Force offices in Charleston and Wilson's home in Etowah.

The TBI investigation began after Estes said he received word that evidence 
might be missing from the DTF evidence room.

TBI agents initially charged Wilson with simple possession of cocaine and 
he was later indicted on a new charge of simple possession of marijuana 
after the McMinn County Grand Jury convened in February 2002.

Then in September 2003, Wilson was charged by Athens police with drunk 
driving following a traffic stop on Railroad Avenue, according to police 
reports.

The DTF's board of directors fired Wilson the day following his initial 
arrest on TBI charges.

Former Bradley County Sheriff's Department Detective Roxanne Blackwell was 
named to head the Charleston-based DTF after a number of applicants were 
reviewed by the DTF Board following Wilson's firing.

Jack Damuth, another Bradley County Sheriff's Department officer, was named 
interim director while the search for a new director was conducted.
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