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FORMER BETHEL POLICE CHIEF PLEADS GUILTY

In his nearly 15-minute hearing, Reginald Laverne Roberts, 41, pleaded guilty to distribution of more than five grams of crack cocaine and aiding and abetting.

The nearly five-year veteran of the Bethel Police Department offered few words beyond the yes or no answers he offered U.S.  District Judge Malcolm J.  Howard.  Roberts is expected to be sentenced at the U.S.  District Courthouse in Greenville the week of March 12, 2007.

He faces a minimum of five and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison without parole and up to a $2 million fine.

Roberts had entered a plea of not guilty to five drug and weapon charges at a Feb.  13 arraignment.  He was scheduled to go to trial Jan.  22, 2007, before changing his plea and entering into an agreement with the U.S.  Attorney's Office.

"This is obviously very significant, we are pleased it worked out this way," said Assistant U.S.  Attorney John H.  Bennett.  "It's a tragedy when things like this happen, because it can cast a shadow of doubt on law enforcement." He said the plea allows Bethel to move on and have confidence in its police department.

Roberts, Bethel's police chief since 2000, and former Lt.  Jerome Earl Cox, were arrested Oct.  27, 2005, after a three-month probe by law enforcement into allegations of drug trafficking and illegal gun sales.  Hidden cameras planted at two locations caught Roberts and Cox stealing money and drugs from property each believed to be owned by drug dealers.

In one incident Bennett detailed in court Monday, Roberts, Cox and an informant for the police went to an impound lot in Washington, N.C., to steal drugs and money stashed in a supposed drug dealer's truck.

Bennett said Roberts and Cox took turns smashing a window on the truck before obtaining 10.7 grams of crack cocaine, a scale and about $2,000 cash.

The men divided the cash and gave the drugs to the informant, he said.

Three days later, Cox and Roberts were arrested on the first floor of the federal courthouse building.  Bennett said law enforcement found marked bills from the Oct.  24, 2005 incident in Roberts' wallet.

Cox pleaded guilty in January as part of a plea agreement.  He agreed to cooperate with prosecutors and testify against Roberts, his former boss and friend.

Bennett could not say how the change in plea might affect Cox's sentencing.  "It remains to be seen," he said.

Cox is expected to be sentenced the week of Feb.  12, 2007.