Pubdate: Sat, 06 Nov 1999
Source: Tulsa World (OK)
Section: State Briefs
Copyright: 1999, World Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.tulsaworld.com/
Author: World's Own Service

EX-DRUG INVESTIGATOR ENTERS GUILTY PLEA IN CASE

POTEAU -- A former LeFlore County drug investigator pleaded guilty Friday
to one count of embezzlement in exchange for a fine and a two-year deferred
sentence.

Charles David Love, 47, said, however, that he didn't steal any money from
the drug task force's confidential informant fund. He said only that he
signed a receipt to a transaction he did not witness.

The charge involved a $150 payment to an informant in 1996. Love's partner
and supervisor, Michael Shayne Hilburn, earlier pleaded guilty to the same
charge and 27 others.

Love originally was charged with more than 30 counts. All but two were
dismissed at a preliminary hearing, and one of those two remaining charges
was dropped at a trial last month. The jury deadlocked on the remaining
charge.

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