Pubdate: Wed, 28 Feb 2007
Source: Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal (Tupelo, MS)
Copyright: 2007 Journal Publishing Company
Contact:  http://www.djournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/823
Author: Leesha Faulkner, Daily Journal
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

RIPLEY POLICE CHIEF ARRESTED ON FEDERAL DRUG CHARGES

Ripley Police Chief Bert Conely is out on $5,000 bond today after 
pleading not guilty to each of seven counts alleging he possessed 
drugs to sell them.

Conely appeared Tuesday before Magistrate Judge S. Allan Alexander to 
enter his plea to the federal charges.

Although Conely is out on bond, he can't possess a firearm, must have 
no contact with government witnesses and must submit to supervision 
of the U.S. Probation Office, according to Alexander's order.

The indictment was made public Tuesday. It alleges that from May 17, 
2006, until Nov. 21, 2006, Conely possessed marijuana and 
hydrocodone, a narcotic pain reliever with intent to distribute. The 
indictment quotes Conely as saying that the marijuana came from 
Mexico and was in a vault at the police department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jimmy Maxwell is prosecuting the case. The 
investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the 
Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics.

"There can be no tolerance for law enforcement officers who dishonor 
their badge and engage in the very same criminal activity that they 
were sworn to prevent," said Stephen A. Luzinski, DEA assistant agent 
in charge in Mississippi.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman