Pubdate: Tue, 17 Oct 2006
Source: Herald-Sun, The (Durham, NC)
Copyright: 2006 The Herald-Sun
Contact:  http://www.herald-sun.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1428
Author: Ray Gronberg
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

SHERIFF DISMISSES THREE DEPUTIES

DURHAM -- Sheriff Worth Hill fired three deputies Monday he said had 
forfeited his and the public's trust after being caught up in an 
investigation of drug-dealing and other illegal activities at a North 
Roxboro Street nightclub.

Hill announced the terminations of deputies Michael P. Owens, William 
K. Dodson and Bradley W. King during an afternoon news conference.

The dismissal of Owens had been expected, as he's been charged with 
trafficking in cocaine, conspiracy and maintaining a building to keep 
and sell drugs. He's the owner of the targeted nightclub, La Zona, 
2825 N. Roxboro Road.

Dodson and King worked off-duty security jobs at the club and lost 
their deputy jobs over what Hill and Capt. Paul Martin said were 
multiple violations of Sheriff's Office policy.

"It better send a message," Hill said of the firings. "I cannot 
condone this kind of behavior. Some agencies [might] put them on 
suspension until further notice. But I know enough today to end it today."

Monday's dismissals came three days after deputies from the Sheriff's 
Office's narcotics unit raided La Zona and seized 4.5 ounces of 
cocaine. They arrested Owens and four other men said to be employees 
or regulars of the club.

Owens began working for the Sheriff's Office in February 2003 after a 
long stint as a state wildlife officer, and spent most of his time 
acting on liens issued by the county Tax Administrator's Office. 
Dodson and King joined in early August of 1999.

King was a member of one of the office's patrol squads. Dodson, who 
more often goes by his middle name, Keith, was the leader of the 
sheriff's two-person anti-gang unit and had won a reputation as an 
expert in the field. He published a book called "The Gang Plague That 
Targets Your Community" last year and has lectured to various 
community and professional groups.

Hill and Martin said Monday that the case remains under investigation 
and that as yet, deputies don't have enough evidence to make 
additional arrests. The sheriff has said that additional illegal 
activities at the club might have included prostitution and a trade 
in fake IDs.

All three deputies have been questioned by Sheriff's Office and FBI 
investigators, Hill said, adding that other interviews have occurred 
and that "it'll probably be another week or so" before the office 
"has more information about some others" involved in the case.

"We're not suspecting any more of our people are involved," Hill 
said. "We strongly feel that no other law-enforcement people, 
especially deputies, are involved in anything like this with this case."

Martin and Hill conceded the tip that touched off the investigation 
came from another law-enforcement agency. Martin didn't specify the 
source, but Hill said the FBI's involvement began when "they called us."

The captain and the sheriff were also mum on what policies Dodson and 
King violated, though Hill hinted that, among other things, they 
might have gone inside the club. Sheriff's Office policy, Hill said, 
requires officers providing security at nightclubs and other 
establishments to stay outside unless they need to use the restroom 
or want to get a non-alcoholic drink.

Hill said his command staff will review the office's policy on 
moonlighting and "will be talking seriously about whether or not we 
let our deputies work off-duty jobs at these bars any longer." A 
decision could come later this week, he added.

He added that he has "mixed emotions" about that option because of 
the possibility that without off-duty officers, clubs might generate 
more 911 calls. Balanced against that are the temptations and image 
problems inherent in guarding such places.

"It bothers me -- we're outside, we probably know something's going 
on inside, drugs, whatever, and here we are protecting that," Hill said.

Martin and Hill also said the Sheriff's Office intends to make sure 
that La Zona doesn't reopen, if necessary by pursuing a 
nuisance-abatement action in court. The club has been based in a 
four-bay commercial building owned by two brothers, Bennett and Surry Roberts.

They have changed the locks on the La Zona space, Martin said.

Bennett Roberts, contacted over the weekend, voiced surprise at the 
arrests and indicated that he'd take action. "We're not going to 
stand for this type of thing," he said before declining further comment.

Hill indicated that he believes the building owner. "I feel he's 
going to shut the business down himself," the sheriff said. "If he 
doesn't, we will."

The sheriff again said he was surprised that the three deputies were 
caught up in the investigation, and conceded that he'd known Dodson 
and Dodson's family long before the deputy joined the department.

Dodson's father, Keith Dodson, worked as an assistant principal at 
both Hillside and South Granville high schools and as an assistant 
football coach at Southern High School. Hill, once a volunteer 
football coach, met Keith Dodson when the two once worked together, 
and believes he also coached the future deputy.

Hill recruited William K. Dodson into the Sheriff's Office while the 
future deputy was working in the recreation department at the Polk 
Youth Institute in Butner.

"This is family," Hill said. "But we can't condone our family misbehaving."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman