Pubdate: Thu, 19 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: BriAnne Dopart

DEPUTY'S CRIMES MORE SERIOUS?

DURHAM -- The former sheriff's deputy fired for his alleged 
involvement in a wide array of illegal activities at a local Durham 
nightclub may have been involved in more serious crimes than the ones 
for which he already stands accused, Durham County Sheriff's 
officials said Wednesday. Sheriff's investigators are looking for 
information that may connect former deputy Mike Owens to both human 
trafficking and murder for hire, according to Capt. Paul Martin of 
the Sheriff's Office.

Owens and six Hispanic males were arrested Saturday in a raid of the 
2825 North Roxboro Road nightclub La Zona. During the raid, 
approximately 5 ounces of cocaine were seized by investigators.

Two other deputies, William "Keith" Dodson and Brad King, both of 
whom worked as off-duty officers at the club, were fired Monday for 
allegedly violating the Sheriff's Office's "secondary employment" 
policy. No criminal charges have yet been lodged against Dodson and 
King, who may have been unaware of what was allegedly occurring 
inside the club, Martin said Wednesday.

Search warrants released Tuesday for the 2825 North Roxboro 
establishment owned by the former deputy alleged that vehicles and 
individuals seen frequenting the club are known to be involved in a 
wide array of criminal activities in Durham including "drug 
trafficking, armed robberies, murder (for hire), prostitution and 
human trafficking."

Asked Wednesday to elaborate on the warrant's mention of "murder for 
hire," Martin said investigators do not yet have any solid evidence 
Owens' played "a direct role" in any murders for hire. They do have, 
however, recorded conversations in which Owens discussed murder 
schemes, Martin said. Investigators who listened to hours of 
conversation transmitted by an audio-recording device inside La Zona 
nightclub heard Owens discussing activity involving "hit" men, Martin said.

"He's not the suspect of an actual murder ... he's just been involved 
in conversations about it," Martin alleged. Martin added that 
investigators are looking into what role, if any, Owens played in 
crimes he allegedly discussed on the recordings.

Sheriff Worth Hill said that murder was the first thing that came to 
mind when he'd learned of Owens' alleged involvement in the illegal 
activities at La Zona, "but we don't have any evidence," he added. 
Martin said investigators are also looking for any connections 
between what they alleged was prostitution going on at La Zona and a 
prostitution ring the Durham Police Department announced it was 
investigating in August. During that investigation, police named 
houses at 116 Junction Road, 217 North Hoover Road and 1949 Cheek 
Road as alleged houses of prostitution. Martin said investigators 
have yet to verify any connection between the La Zona case and that 
particular network of brothels.

Still "furious" about his deputies' alleged involvement -- either 
directly or on the periphery -- in the purportedly seedy on-goings of 
La Zona nightclub, Hill said he is seriously considering prohibiting 
all of his deputies from doing "off-duty work" work at bars and 
nightclubs. According to the sheriff's current policy (last updated 
in 2000), deputies can work at establishments that serve alcohol, but 
they cannot enter the establishment except to use the bathroom. The 
rule can be bent only if the deputy knows of criminal activity going 
on inside the establishment -- such as a fight breaking out at the 
bar -- Hill said.

The Durham County Sheriff's Office has more requests for off-duty 
deputies than it can handle, Hill said, so he's not concerned about 
cutting into any deputy's much-needed second job. Hill said he 
doesn't know exactly how many deputies are employed at nightclubs and 
bars, but said he is sure "there's a whole lot of 'em."

The policy change would be the only change made to Sheriff's Office 
procedure because of the La Zona scandal, said Hill. Hill said he is 
confident no other Sheriff's Office personnel will be implicated in 
the La Zona probe and that he sees no need for any further 
investigation into his agency.

Hill said he would meet with his remaining deputies at 7:30 a.m. 
today to discuss the effect negative press swirling around the agency 
has had on deputies' morale.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine