Pubdate: Sun, 07 Oct 2007
Source: Star-News (NC)
Copyright: 2007 Wilmington Morning Star
Contact:  http://www.wilmingtonstar.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/500

AIKEN COUNTY OFFICIALS DEAL WITH NARCOTICS UNIT'S FIRING

Aiken, S.C. | Aiken County is dealing with the fallout  of the 
firings of the sheriff's entire narcotics unit  as prosecutors check 
cases made by the investigators  and the county asks federal agents 
to help with drug  crimes.

The four officers were fired Thursday by Sheriff  Michael Hunt who 
said they drove unmarked, county-owned  cars to bars last month. The 
sheriff said at least one  woman performed a sex act on one of the 
officers as  they drove around.

Hunt has asked the South Carolina Law Enforcement  Division to 
investigate whether the officers misused  government money, 
improperly destroyed evidence or  committed other misconduct.

Prosecutor Barbara Morgan said how she handles the drug  cases made 
by the fired investigators depends on  whether they are charged with 
any crimes.

"We'll make the appropriate calls at the appropriate  times," said 
Morgan, who is having her staff set aside  any cases the officers 
were involved in.

The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms  and Explosives 
have volunteers to help the county with  drug cases until the sheriff 
can hire enough officers  to get it back running, said sheriff's 
spokesman Lt.  Michael Frank.

The fired officers are Lt. Jonathon Owenby, 30, of  Aiken; and 
investigators James Crowell, 33, of North  Augusta; Tim Roberts, 29, 
of Aiken; and Luke  Williamson, 34, of North Augusta.

Narcotics investigator Brian Owens, 38, of Aiken, has  been suspended 
with pay pending the outcome of the  state investigation.

Owens was not involved in the Sept. 13 events, said  Frank, who 
refused to elaborate on why the investigator  was suspended.
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