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INDICTMENTS INCLUDE RACKETEERING, DRUG AND FIREARMS CHARGES

ROANOKE -- Henry County Sheriff H.  Frank Cassell and several other members of his department were among the 20 people indicted this week on charges of racketeering conspiracy, obstruction of justice, money laundering, drug distribution and firearms offenses. 

"The ( alleged ) members of this conspiracy took advantage of the trust placed in them as law enforcement officers," U.S.  Attorney John Brownlee said of the 13 current or former employees of the Henry County Sheriff's Office.  A grand jury sitting in Abingdon handed down the 48-count indictment Tuesday and it was unsealed Thursday. 

The indictments followed a nearly two-year investigation by federal authorities into an alleged eight-year scheme to sell drugs seized from criminals back to the community. 

Cassell was charged with two counts of obstruction of justice and one count each of money laundering, false statement and misprision, or not reporting a felony to law enforcement. 

A career law enforcement officer and Henry County sheriff since 1992, Cassell has told a former officer in his department that in order to be wealthy you have to be "a little crooked and not get caught," the government said during a hearing for Cassell Thursday afternoon.  Cassell was released on a $25,000 unsecured bond after that hearing but was forbidden to discuss the case with his co-defendants.  At the prosecution's request, U.S.  Magistrate Judge Michael Urbanski also told Cassell not to discuss the case with any county employee because an investigation of corruption in Henry County's government is ongoing.  County officials said they are not aware of a separate investigation.  A former postal worker, a former probation officer and five other people also were indicted by federal prosecutors.  The charges included racketeering conspiracy, weapons charges, narcotics distribution, obstruction of justice and perjury. 

Prosecutors said that since 1998, cocaine, crack cocaine, steroids, marijuana and other drugs that had been seized by the sheriff's department were resold to the public.  A sergeant who agreed to cooperate with investigators was paid off by the ring to use his house for distributing drugs, authorities said. 

"It is disgraceful corruption," Brownlee said.  Fourteen others who were indicted also were arrested Thursday, and police had been in contact with the rest of those indicted except for one defendant who was at large, Brownlee said. 

All but two were released on bond, and sheriff's employees were admonished not to work in law enforcement until the case goes to court.  One of Cassell's defense attorneys, John Lichtenstein of Roanoke, objected to a government request that Cassell be given the same stipulation, noting that the sheriff was elected to his position and barring him from working would disregard a presumption of innocence.  Urbanski concurred.  "He's served with great dedication," Lichtenstein said of Cassell outside court after the hearing.  "Now we get an opportunity to answer the accusations." The county supervisors on Thursday evening asked Cassell to resign, saying they believed his ability to manage his department had been "irreparably damaged." Lichtenstein said his client would assess the issues and "make a decision that he believes reflects the best interests of the people." Assistant County Administrator Tim Hall said county officials were shocked by the indictments. 

"We had no idea," he said, and given the scene in the parking lot this morning as Hall arrived at his office, "I had a little kick in my gut .  when I rolled in and saw" the myriad of police vehicles blocking off entrances/exits to the sheriff's office. 

He was referring to the case of former county administrator Sid Clower who went to prison for embezzling more than $818,000 between 1993 and 2002, and allegedly used the money for gifts and trips and to support an out-of-wedlock child. 

Thursday morning at the Henry County Sheriff's Office, the State Police blocked entrances and exits to its parking lot with their cruisers.  Troopers, some dressed in bulletproof vest, fatigues and carrying rifles, stood guard as FBI, DEA and state officials moved in and out of the building on the chilly morning, many wearing windbreakers that listed their agency in bold letters but some smartly dressed in dark suits.  State officials parked two mobile command centers near the building and two special armored trucks used in tactical operations.  There were also a number of cruisers and unmarked vehicles, and one rental truck that officials were later seen loading with numerous document boxes from inside the sheriff's office.  In the morning, a helicopter also arrived to bring State Police Superintendent W.  Stephen Flaherty and FBI Special Agent in Charge Charles J.  Cunningham, who flew out again by 11 a.m. 

As the day went on, a horde of local and national media appeared in the parking lot, with television reporters setting up satellite trucks, interviewing local residents and doing live reports.  A number of county residents with business at the courthouse stopped to take in the almost military occupation of the sheriff's office building and the media it drew. 

Some said they were shocked at the news of Cassell's arrest.  "It's a shock to the community," said Darcell Jacobs, owner of Darcell's car wash.  "I just lifted the sheriff up in prayer, because I know he's a very nice person," said Jacobs, who said she washes the sheriff's wife's car at her car wash.  "We are praying for him and his family," she said. 

Others, however, reacted differently.  "I think it's great," said Brenda Hodges, "It didn't surprise me." Hodges lives on Persimmon Street, an area she said is plagued with drug dealers.  "It's a dead end street.  And everybody who wants to sell their drugs can go right there on that dead end street, and they sell," she said.  She said she feels the sheriff's office has neglected the drug problem there by being lenient and not rounding up the dealers. 

"You can call them 15, 20 times.  They never do anything," she said.  "It's just basically turn and look away.  And now you know why.  They were putting it in their own damn pockets." Louann Williams, who lives on Ridgecrest Avenue, said she also feels the sheriff's office has not dealt with the drug problem on her street.  She said she's not surprised the charges were filed. 

"I've been waiting for it to happen.  I've been hoping for it to happen," she said.  Jean Smith was philosophical about the situation as she left the county administration building on Thursday. 

"What's done in the dark will come to light.  You can throw rocks but you can't hide your hand," she said. 

The sheriff's department has 96 officers.  State police officers are helping to run the department. 

Cassell, 68, retired from the state police before being elected sheriff, and owns large tracts of land and a trucking company.  Cassell reportedly earns more than $20,000 in dividends yearly, according to federal prosecutors.  Sheriffs in counties the size of Henry ( 58,000 residents ) earn an estimated $90,000 a year, according to state figures.