Pubdate: Thu, 22 Mar 2007
Source: Daily Review (PA)
Copyright: 2007 The Daily Review
Contact:  http://www.thedailyreview.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1015
Author: CJ Marshall
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

SHERIFF EVANS: GRANT ALLEGATIONS 'FALSE'

Hostettler Refuses To Back Down

TOWANDA -- Bradford County Sheriff Steve Evans insisted Wednesday 
that allegations he misrepresented his office to obtain a federal 
anti-drug grant were "absolutely false" and "totally irresponsible."

He also said the $246,000 federal grant is being used to fight the 
area's methamphetamine problem "on several fronts," and that his 
office has the authority to make arrests in drug-related cases.

Evans was responding to allegations made by former Troy police Chief 
Greg Hostettler. Hostettler is a candidate for sheriff, running 
against Evans in the May primary election.

When asked Wednesday if he wished to respond to the sheriff's 
contentions, Hostettler said he stands by his statements that 
appeared in a story published by The Daily Review that day.

Evans insisted in a prepared statement that the grant money is being 
used to fight the methamphetamine problem, and that other law 
enforcement agencies and emergency responders can benefit from it if 
needed. "I am shocked and appalled at the outrageous and totally 
false accusations...," Evans wrote. "I, in no manner whatsoever, 
misrepresented the sheriff's office..."

In the Wednesday story, Hostettler contended that Evans obtained the 
money to create the infrastructure for a countywide police force -- 
something the challenger contended would be a duplication of 
services, because of the state police and the state attorney general's office.

Hostettler also insisted that the Bradford County Sheriff's Office 
has been prohibited from investigating methamphetamine cases by the 
Bradford County District Attorney's Office and the Pennsylvania 
Attorney General's Office since 2004.

However, on Wednesday, Evans said in an interview that his office can 
still make drug-related arrests, pointing out the case of Jennifer 
Nobles of Gillett, a former kitchen employee at the Bradford County 
jail, who was arrested by the sheriff's office on charges of 
smuggling drugs to inmates at the facility. Evans said Nobles pleaded 
guilty to the charges about two weeks ago in Bradford County Court.

In 2004, Evans continued, he was informed by the district attorney 
that his office could no longer file cases independently. Evans said 
that the sheriff's department continued working with the attorney 
general's office through September 2006. Around that time, Evans 
said, the attorney general's office informed him that it would 
temporarily not be using deputies for its drug investigations.

Hostettler said Wednesday he stands by his original contentions 
concerning the role of the sheriff's office -- that it is prohibited 
from filing criminal cases with the attorney general or the district 
attorney because of cases filed in the state Supreme Court. However, 
Evans countered that one case -- involving Corey Dobbins of Troy -- 
is pending and has not yet been decided by the Supreme Court. In the 
case, Dobbins is challenging an arrest made by Bradford County 
sheriff's deputies who charged him with operating a methamphetamine lab.

Hostettler also contended that thousands of dollars in equipment 
purchased via the grant has been earmarked for the sheriff's 
deputies. Evans, however, insisted that the equipment is available 
for use by other law enforcement and emergency responders. The 
sheriff pointed out that a portable light tower -- valued at $4,100 
- -- is being stored at the Greater Valley EMS facility, and the local 
emergency crews have been instructed in its use.

"They're more than welcome to use it," Evans said about the tower.

Concerning Evans' statements that his office has been working for 
about the past six months with the Federal Drug Enforcement 
Administration on methamphetamine enforcement, Hostettler said that 
it's fine the sheriff's department is turning such information over 
to federal authorities. However, Hostettler continued, this does not 
mean that the sheriff or his deputies have the authority to make 
drug-related arrests.

When asked about this, Evans declined to go into specifics about the 
functions of his office with the DEA, saying only that he and his 
deputies have been working with the federal authorities.

Evans also insisted that his office does still have the authority to 
file criminal charges in drug-related cases.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman