Pubdate: Thu, 18 May 2006 Source: San Antonio Express-News (TX) Copyright: 2006 San Antonio Express-News Contact: http://www.mysanantonio.com/expressnews/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/384 Author: Guillermo Contreras, Express-News Staff Writer FEDERAL DRUG CHARGES CARRY STIFFER SENTENCE A San Antonio police officer who had faced a misdemeanor marijuana charge is now facing up to life in prison if convicted on federal charges alleging that he let his girlfriend and other people traffic methamphetamine out of his home. In a hearing Wednesday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Nancy Nowak ordered Joseph Anthony Evans, 42, held without bond pending a bail hearing and arraignment Monday. Court records show that Evans was arrested on a state marijuana possession charge in February after his live-in girlfriend, Katherine Stacy Sanchez, 32, was allegedly caught with methamphetamine and police searched his house. As Evans awaited trial in that case, a federal grand jury Tuesday indicted him, Sanchez and two others whose identities are sealed. Evans was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, aiding and abetting others in the possession and distribution of methamphetamine, and maintaining drug-involved premises. The indictment was unsealed Wednesday. The conspiracy charge carries a penalty of 10 years to life in prison, and the other two are punishable by up to 20 years, Assistant U.S. Attorney Priscilla Garcia said. "He maintains his innocence, and we look forward to trial," said attorney Ben M. Sifuentes Jr., who with lawyer Eddie Garcia represents Evans in the state matter. Sanchez had been the lone defendant in the federal case, which resulted in an earlier indictment in April, and she originally faced a charge of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, court records show. She was released after her arrest in February on unsecured bond to a drug inpatient program. The new indictment charges her with conspiracy and aiding and abetting the distribution of meth. She was expected to turn herself in to answer to the new charges within days, officials said. San Antonio narcotics detectives concentrated on Evans' home in February after getting information that Sanchez was selling large amounts of methamphetamine from there, court records allege. She was arrested after leaving the home in a Cadillac. Officers found methamphetamine in the vehicle, according to police and court records. Evans consented to a search of his home, and police found a small amount of cocaine, methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and less than 2 ounces of marijuana, police and court records said. Evans was released on bond after his February arrest, and the department placed him on administrative duty. Narcotics detectives and SWAT officers arrested him Tuesday on a warrant issued with the federal indictment. First Assistant District Attorney Cliff Herberg said the misdemeanor case was dropped in an agreement with the feds. Evans, who has been on the force 10 years, is now on temporary suspension without pay, a police spokesman said. In the quiet, gated subdivision on the Northwest Side where Evans lived with his girlfriend for nearly two years, neighbors described him as polite and friendly, a guy who sometimes enjoyed a beer in his yard before a Spurs game but who never threw a roaring party. "There was nothing to indicate this was going on," said Ray White, 48. "It's just so sad." Staff Writer Lomi Kriel contributed to this report. - --- MAP posted-by: SHeath(DPF Florida)