Pubdate: Thu, 28 May 2009
Source: Charlotte Observer (NC)
Copyright: 2009 The Charlotte Observer
Contact: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/contact/#editor
Website: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/78
Author: Gary L.. Wright
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/corrupt.htm (Corruption - United States)

EX-OFFICERS GET 9 YEARS FOR SHIELDING DRUG DEALER

Rebuffing Pleas For Mercy, The Sentencing Judge Calls Conduct 'Way 
Over The Line.'

Former Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers Gerald Holas and Jason 
Ross, accused of protecting a drug dealer, were each sentenced 
Wednesday to nine years in prison for conspiring to distribute 
cocaine. Federal authorities say the sentences are the longest 
imposed on Charlotte law enforcement officers they can recall.

The officers admitted they shielded a drug dealer's cocaine operation 
but said they did so in an effort to gain information they could use 
to arrest his suppliers and customers, according to court documents. 
In a packed courtroom at Charlotte's federal courthouse, Holas 
apologized to family and friends.

"I always tried to do what I thought was best," said Holas, his legs 
shackled. "My actions, I can't explain. ...I always tried to do more 
good than harm." Holas' mother wept as she begged U.S. District Judge 
Bob Conrad to have mercy on her son.

"Please don't condemn him and send him away for his first mistake," 
she said. "Please restore our family. He's our only son." After Ross 
was sentenced, one woman leaving the courtroom turned to prosecutors 
and said: "You guys are wrong. You are heartless." Holas and Ross, 
both 36, were accused of helping suspected drug dealer David Lockhart 
avoid police detection. The officers told authorities they were using 
Lockhart as an informant to make more arrests - although police said 
he was never registered as an informant with the department. Holas 
tipped off Lockhart about police activities, and both officers helped 
him get revenge on a rival whose house was firebombed with Molotov 
cocktails, according to an affidavit filed in the case. Judge Conrad 
said the pair had put other police officers in danger, helped a drug 
dealer distribute drugs and damaged the reputation of police. The 
judge told Ross his conduct was an abuse of his position.

He called Holas' conduct "way over the line." "The defendant Holas 
violated the implicit trust society placed in its police officers," 
Conrad said. "He did so in a manner that facilitated drug 
trafficking, placed his fellow officer in harm's way and contributed 
to acts of violence perpetrated by a drug trafficker against other 
citizens." Conrad also noted that 50 criminal cases had to be 
dismissed because of the illegal conduct.

"Officers who come after the defendant will have to deal with the 
stain placed upon their uniforms by the defendant's illegal conduct." 
Ross and Holas pleaded guilty last July to conspiring to distribute 
cocaine. In exchange for their guilty pleas, prosecutors recommended 
the minimum sentence of 10 years.

The suspected drug dealer, Lockhart, 26, has also pleaded guilty to 
the drug conspiracy and is awaiting sentencing.

He admitted he moved large quantities of cocaine, according to the 
affidavit, and confirmed the officers' account that he got their 
protection in exchange for information.

"It is tragic that these two officers chose to violate their sacred 
obligations to uphold the law and join forces with a dangerous drug 
dealer," acting U.S. Attorney Edward Ryan said.

Police Chief Rodney Monroe said last year he was disappointed in the 
officers and that their actions angered many in the department. He 
said Wednesday via e-mail: "Under these unfortunate circumstances, I 
want to re-enforce CMPD's commitment to providing high quality police 
services to our community. As always, we uphold the expectation that 
our officers enforce and obey the law." Court documents detail 
several instances of how the officers helped Lockhart. Last June, 
Holas alerted Lockhart about a possible drug bust at a motel where 
Lockhart had drugs, according to an affidavit. Holas phoned Lockhart 
and told him that police or informants were watching the motel and 
that he needed to leave immediately. A few minutes later, Holas 
called again, this time warning that police activity at the motel was 
likely forthcoming. The court documents also outline an October 2007 
incident that involved helping Lockhart find an enemy so he could get 
revenge. A robber had stolen money and cocaine from Lockhart. 
Lockhart asked the officers for help identifying the man - and soon 
had a name and address.

Lockhart poured gasoline in at least four large beer bottles and 
placed rags in the bottle openings, according to the affidavit. He 
set fire to the bottles and threw them against the suspected robber's 
house, shouting expletives, the document says. The suspected robber, 
along with other residents, ran from the burning house.

During Wednesday's sentencings, defense lawyers urged the judge to 
impose less than the 10 years prosecutors recommended.

"Officer Holas didn't do this for money...," Tony Scheer told the 
judge. "It doesn't excuse the acts of Jerry Holas. He did it thinking 
he was balancing good versus evil. It was a terrible decision." Chris 
Fialko asked the judge to sentence Ross to five years. That sentence, 
he said, would deter other police officers. It also would mean that 
Ross' young daughter would still be able to remember him and that 
Ross would be able to see his son graduate from high school.

As the officers' family and supporters left the courthouse, some 
crying, most declined to talk to reporters.

Holas' wife, asked about her reaction to the sentence, replied: "I 
don't have one." Ross' aunt told reporters: "He did nothing wrong. 
He's an innocent man. A good man. Nine years is ridiculous."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom