LEXINGTON -- Plea bargains that dropped some of the charges against three Davidson County deputies and three other men didn't play well along the county seat's Main Street. "I don't see why not telling the truth the first time should get you a lighter (prison) sentence," said Frankie Nance, owner of the Army-Navy Store. But things were business as usual for Davidson County Sheriff Gerald Hege and his department. Hege, who is taking heat in this election year because of the charges against his former deputies, declined to comment on the court proceedings Thursday. [continues 413 words]
3 Davidson Ex-Deputies, Others Accept U.S. Prosecutors' Deal Greensboro Three former Davidson County deputies, a former Archdale police officer and two other men pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court in Greensboro to drug-conspiracy charges as part of a plea agreement with federal prosecuters. The men, who had all pleaded not guilty when they were arrested in December, changed their pleas after receiving concessions from the U.S. Attorney's Office, including an agreement to dismiss some charges. [continues 710 words]
A phone call soured the annual Christmas breakfast at the Archdale Police Department. "We need to come see you," state agents told Chief Gary Lewallen. Related Story Shock over arrests lingers for residents The SBI agents brought Lewallen unsettling news. State police were going to arrest one of his men, a trusted sergeant, on drug-conspiracy charges. And they needed to arrest him on the job so he'd have no chance to run. Within minutes, brawny Sgt. Chris Shetley was in custody, head bowed, hands cuffed behind him like any other suspect. That sight -- a uniformed officer being led out of a police station in handcuffs -- broke hearts all over the building, the chief says. [continues 3077 words]
Editor: I am writing a letter in regard to how the Davidson County Sheriff's Office runs things in this town. Do we as American citizens have rights anymore? Well, I think Gerald Hege thinks not. He runs things how he sees fit in order to make himself look good. Deputies have been indicted on drug charges from which the drugs they were selling were taken from prior busts they had performed. What kind of man are we letting run this county? If we do not vote Hege out of office this election, things will only get worse. I will be voting against him and those of you who vote for him, your time is coming to have your rights stripped out from under you. They have slandered my name and I have done nothing wrong and have not been charged with anything. Please take heed to my words. If not, one day you will regret it. Dana Berrier, Lexington [end]
He Endorses Four Candidates Running For Commissioners LEXINGTON -- Davidson County Sheriff Gerald Hege's political machine kicked into gear yesterday as he filed for re-election and endorsed four candidates for the county board of commissioners. Hege, 53, is running for his third-term in office. A Republican, he brought an entourage of supporters along with him to the board of elections, including family members, more than 12 deputies and sheriff's office employees, and county commissioner candidates. In a news conference after he filed, Hege said he plans to campaign for John Faust, Don Truell, Sam Watford and Paul Housand for the four open county-commissioner seats. [continues 481 words]
LEXINGTON -- Gerald Hege packed a posse of 36 supporters into the Davidson County Board of Elections office Monday as he filed to run for his third term as the county sheriff. Hege, surrounded by his wife, mother, sister, deputies and other sheriff's department employees, talked about how crime has dropped in the eight years he has been sheriff, the amount of money he has generated for the county and the need for higher salaries for his deputies. He said he wasn't there to try to change the minds of people who may want his tenure to end in December. [continues 341 words]
LEXINGTON -- For some, the arrest of three former Davidson County Sheriff's deputies may have been the equivalent of a get-out-of-jail-free card. For others, it could have been vindication of an unjust blemish on a life otherwise clear of brushes with the law. Since January, the Davidson County District Attorney's Office has dismissed charges against 31 people, ranging from misdemeanor possession of marijuana to felony possession of cocaine. The cases had to be dropped, District Attorney Garry Frank said, because then-deputies David Woodall, Douglas Westmoreland and William Rankin played a significant role in the arrests. [continues 353 words]
Editor: A great Texan once said, "Why must those who are in the wrong always bury a 10-cent topic in $10 words?" When you slice through all of the heated rhetoric surrounding Sheriff Gerald Hege, you finally come to the unalterable conclusion that he has failed the citizens of our county. I, like most of you, was originally impressed with his "no-nonsense" tactics. The idea of using inmates to clean up our streets and taking away some of the luxuries of the jail that we all paid for was a welcome change. Had it stopped there, Sheriff Hege would be getting my vote in the next election. But, it didn't stop there. [continues 572 words]
The Davidson County District Attorney's Office has dismissed 65 criminal cases investigated by three county narcotics officers now charged in a federal indictment with conspiracy to distribute drugs. District Attorney Garry Frank said the cases, involving about 25 defendants, include not just drug possession allegations but also some drug trafficking and habitual felon charges - cases his office normally gives high priority. "To have to dismiss these is extremely regrettable and distasteful," Frank said. He said his staff, which started the review the day after the arrest of the three narcotics officers, has finished going over every pending Superior Court case, as well as a few District Court cases, in which the three officers - 1st Lt. David Scott Woodall, Lt. Doug Westmoreland and Sgt. William Monroe Rankin - are involved. [continues 483 words]
Editor: This letter is in response to Sandra Causey about us citizens in Davidson County not whining about Mr. Hege any longer being in office if another person is elected in office. Personally, I think getting another sheriff in office would be the best thing for this county. Well, Sandra makes no common sense with what she says. Just watch the television and read the newspapers about the events that took place in Mr. Hege's department and on our streets. How can any of us trust our law enforcement officers now? [continues 542 words]
LEXINGTON -- People facing drug charges in Davidson County had the slate wiped clean this week after the arrest of three Davidson County sheriff's deputies, according to District Attorney Garry Frank. At least 24 defendants, facing 65 charges ranging from habitual felon to trafficking in cocaine, had their cases dropped because of the arrest of the deputies on drug trafficking charges, Frank said. "As I indicated from the beginning, we were going to review on a case-by-case basis, and that is what we did," he said. [continues 365 words]
The high sheriff of Davidson County, Gerald Hege, has the responsibility of supervising his narcotics unit and his deputies. Three of his top deputies were arrested for conspiracy in drug charges. Single officers sometimes go bad, but three is unusual unless it is in a large city. Hege says that "there's really no monitoring system." If there isn't, there should have been. An effective internal system to prevent such actions is necessary. Sheriff Hege has built himself a reputation as the toughest sheriff in America. Some of the ways he has done this include television and radio shows, decorating his office with military items, outfitting his deputies with uniforms resembling military special forces, driving a spider car, and the list goes on. His busy schedule may have prevented his attention to a narcotics unit out of control. [continues 258 words]
I've been reading about this situation involving Davidson County Sheriff Gerald Hege . Everyone is saying that Hege is a hypocrite. How? Did he traffic any drugs? Did he produce false search warrants? Did he get caught with money or drugs? Has the FBI pointed at him? So he wears black "commando" pants. The K-9 unit from a local department wears the same BDU's and military style combat boots. My fiance is an officer and days he has to train, he wears the same BDU's. Those pants are pretty standard issue. [continues 106 words]
Davidson County Sheriff Gerald Hege said Tuesday he has increased supervision of undercover operations. That's a start toward restoring public confidence in his department after last week's arrests of three vice-narcotics officers on drug charges and other allegations. Hege held a news conference to address concerns about his management practices, or lack of oversight. Although he couldn't quite admit personal responsibility for what went wrong, blaming "rogue cops" who were skilled at evading detection, his vow to do better amounted to an acknowledgment of past shortcomings. [continues 178 words]
Sheriff Gerald Hege made an important first step Tuesday in his effort to regain the trust of Davidson County residents following the arrests of three of his vice and narcotics officers on drug charges. Hege faces a difficult task. An affidavit in the federal and state investigation that led to the deputies' arrests detailed planted evidence, false arrests, break-ins, thefts and even assaults. The scope of the alleged wrongdoing is staggering. The fallout from the investigation is wide-ranging. Ninety-one court cases involving 35 people are at risk, since they involved the now-dismissed officers. The evidence used to make the arrests will be called into question. District Attorney Garry Frank has said he will review the cases on a case-by-case basis. Based on the information in the affidavit, Frank should strongly consider dismissing them outright and letting law enforcement officers start anew. [continues 385 words]
Drastic Steps Are Needed To Restore Confidence Of Public, Counterparts Say Davidson County Sheriff Gerald Hege outlined a plan to overhaul his vice-narcotics unit yesterday, a week after federal authorities arrested three of his top investigators on drug-distribution charges. Several new deputies have been assigned to the unit. Hege, along with four of his highest-ranking officers, will supervise these deputies, Hege said. The sheriff also will execute search warrants and go on drug raids with his deputies who will undergo more extensive drug testing that will include use of steroids, Hege said. [continues 695 words]
The arrest Dec. 12 of four law-enforcement officers on drug- distribution charges is unfortunate. But such arrests should not be seen as occupational hazards. Some other professions that expose one to great temptation to break the law acknowledge that need and provide for it. Lawyers, for example, who despite great risks could raid clients' trust funds, seldom do. One reason is that such professions require continuing education that includes ethics training. The training is meant to function as a reminder that although technologies and techniques often change, right and wrong remain constant. [continues 285 words]
Davidson County Sheriff Gerald Hege said this morning he is reorganizing his vice-narcotics operation to prevent the problems that surfaced last week when federal and state investigators arrested three of his undercover officers for allegedly conspiring to distribute drugs. In a wide-ranging news conference at the courthouse, Hege said he worked closely with vice and narcotics officers for his first six years in office but took a less hands-on role during this past seventh year. That's when the activities allegedly occurred that led to the indictment of the three undercover officers, an Archdale police officer and two Lexington residents. [continues 422 words]
LEXINGTON -- Davidson County Sheriff Gerald Hege, stung by the arrest last week of three top vice-narcotics deputies, announced Tuesday that the unit will have more oversight. Hege will have a more hands-on role, such as going out on major drug raids and searches, he said at a morning news conference. He will work more night shifts, too. He also assigned a team of officers to oversee the operation of the unit. Maj. Brad Glisson, Maj. Danny Owens, Capt. Jody Shoaf and Capt. Chris Coble will not work cases but will document each step of operations, such as making sure seized drugs and other evidence get logged into the evidence room. [continues 487 words]
Davidson County Sheriff Gerald Hege acknowledged this morning that a federal indictment of three deputies throws into doubt 91 pending charges against 35 people. Those are all the active cases that the indicted deputies worked on. At a 9 a.m. press conference this morning, Hege responded to allegations contained in 35-page search warrant released by federal prosecutors Friday. "Until yesterday afternoon, I had not received or read the affidavit" detailing the investigation against his men, Hege said. Hege held up a list of all the pending cases the indicted deputies worked on, and he addressed accusations by a television reporter that he was hiding out. [continues 741 words]
Leadership comes in many different styles. What works best varies according to the individual. I'm impressed with President Bush's leadership, as are most Americans at this point. I like his style. Bush is a humble leader. Unlike his predecessor, he doesn't act as if he's smarter than everyone else. The fact is, he's not smarter than everyone else. But he's smart enough to surround himself with highly talented people - - Colin Powell, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Condoleezza Rice, John Ashcroft. His ego doesn't stop him from heeding others' advice or letting subordinates take the credit when that's appropriate. [continues 580 words]
Recent Days Have Been Some Of Toughest In His Career One of the first questions Davidson County Sheriff Gerald Hege gets asked these days is, "How are you doing?" But his answer isn't his usual and enthusiastic, "Wide open." Instead Hege says, "not so good." In fact these past few days have been some of the worst in his seven-year tenure as sheriff of this sprawling, largely rural county. The man who welcomed controversy with his tough talk and unconventional style is still reeling from the arrests last Wednesday of three of his top investigators on federal charges of distributing drugs. [continues 1346 words]
After years of silliness and self-promotion from Davidson County Sheriff Gerald Hege, it was a little hard to take the latest bulletin about his little kingdom seriously. But the news is no joke. When federal and state authorities arrested his three top narcotics detectives last Wednesday, the myth of Sheriff Hege and his merry men deflated like a Macy's balloon the day after Thanksgiving. Three Davidson County deputies, along with an Archdale police officer and a civilian, are under federal indictment for conspiracy to sell large amounts of cocaine, marijuana and other illicit drugs. The indictments cap an eight-month federal and state investigation that came as a complete surprise to Sheriff Hege. [continues 247 words]
We have seen his menacing face on television and billboards across North Carolina. Davidson County Sheriff Gerald Hege's striped jump suits for prisoners and pink walls in jail houses have been topics of dinner conversation in many homes. Then came the shocking news that Hege's top officers have been accused of trafficking narcotics. Is it possible that he has spent too much time selling his barbecue sauce, cruising around in his Mustang and playing Mr. Tough Guy? Has he overlooked his first priority, which is to ensure the integrity of his officers? [continues 63 words]
The article by Benny Phillips Dec. 15 was titled perfectly: "Hit and run." He was associating George O'Leary and the Davidson County deputies. What is the obsession that the Enterprise has with negative articles about Gerald Hege? I've seen little or no positive things about Hege or his department in your paper. In view of the fact that your headquarters is in Guilford County, don't you think you have enough to take care of on the home front? [continues 215 words]
HIGH POINT -- As many as 50 criminal investigations conducted by three Davidson County deputies will be reviewed now that the officers face drug charges, a district attorney said Thursday. First Lt. David Scott Woodall, 34, Lt. Douglas Edward Westmoreland, 49, and Sgt. William Monroe Rankin, 32, were arrested Wednesday by the FBI and State Bureau of Investigation. They face federal charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, including cocaine, marijuana, steroids and ecstasy. In addition, Davidson County Sheriff Gerald Hege has fired the three deputies, noting he does not plan to rehire them if they are found not guilty. [continues 333 words]
LEXINGTON -- The gloom was nearly as visible as the foggy mist that blanketed Davidson County on Thursday, a day after the county's top three vice and narcotics officers were arrested on federal drug-trafficking charges. "There's a lot of shock and disbelief," said the Rev. Ray Howell, pastor of the First Baptist Church. "People are just shaking their heads." The Wednesday arrests of sheriff's deputies David Scott Woodall, William Monroe Rankin and Douglas Edward Westmoreland were big news in this quiet town of 16,000 people known mainly to outsiders for its 20 barbecue restaurants and tough-talking Sheriff Gerald Hege. [continues 849 words]
Something smells rotten in the Davidson County Sheriff's Office. And the stink starts with Sheriff Gerald Hege. The high sheriff looked rather crestfallen Wednesday as he spoke about the arrests of three of his vice-narcotics officers on drug trafficking charges. An Archdale police officer also was charged. Hege was not implicated in the alleged crimes. The arrests came Wednesday after an eight-month probe by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, State Bureau of Investigation, The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Marshals Service. [continues 414 words]
LEXINGTON -- Davidson County Sheriff Gerald Hege thought he and three of his deputies were going to an early morning planning session for a multiagency drug raid when they pulled up to the National Guard Armory in High Point about 5 a.m. Wednesday. But it was a set-up -- a ruse that the FBI and the State Bureau of Investigation had organized to get the deputies there and arrest them on drug trafficking charges. The arrests of the deputies -- Hege's top narcotics officers -- may end up throwing a number of cases they investigated in jeopardy. [continues 698 words]
An Archdale Police Officer, Two Civilians Also Charged LEXINGTON - Three high-ranking Davidson County sheriff's officers and an Archdale police officer were arrested along with two other men on charges that they distributed crack cocaine, marijuana, steroids and Ecstasy for more than a year, authorities said yesterday. Officials from the FBI and the State Bureau of Investigation arrested Lt. Douglas Edward Westmoreland, 49, Lt. David Scott Woodall, 34, and Sgt. William Rankin, 32, at 5:30 a.m. yesterday at the National Guard Armory in High Point, said Davidson County Sheriff Gerald Hege at a news conference. [continues 904 words]
GREENSBORO - Three ranking officers in the Davidson County Sheriff's Department are among six people facing federal charges of distributing cocaine and marijuana and other illegal substances for more than a year. U.S. Attorney Anna Mills Wagoner announced today the arrests following indictments returned by a federal grand jury in Greensboro on Friday. Those arrested include David Scott Woodall, 34, a lieutenant with the Davidson County Sheriff's Department; and Douglas Edward Westmoreland, 49, and William Monroe Rankin, 32, both Davidson sheriff's sergeants. [continues 225 words]
Three Davidson County sheriff's deputies and an Archdale police officer were among those arrested on drug charges by FBI and State Bureau of Investigation officers early Wednesday morning. U.S. Attorney Anna Mills Wagoner announced the arrests of: David Scott Woodall, 34, of Allred Road, Lexington; Douglas Edward Westmoreland, 49, Bowers Road, Thomasville; William Monroe Rankin, 32, Hidden Hills Drive, Thomasville. They are all Davidson County Sheriff's Deputies. Archdale police officer Christopher James Shetley also was arrested. His age and address were not immediately available. [continues 502 words]
Three veteran vice and narcotics officers of the Davidson County Sheriff's Office and an additional Davidson County resident were arrested this morning in Greensboro on federal charges of distributing controlled substances, Sheriff Gerald Hege said this morning in a press conference. A law enforcement officer from a neighboring county and two other citizens were also arrested in the federal investigation that spanned eight months. The sheriff was visibly shaken as he talked about the incident, saying the arrests are a blow to the department's morale. [continues 438 words]
LEXINGTON -- Three Davidson County sheriff's deputies, an Archdale police officer, the son of a Davidson County commissioner and another man were arrested by the FBI Wednesday and charged with trafficking drugs. The charges are the result of an eight-month investigation by the federal and state bureaus of investigation. An indictment returned by a federal grand jury Friday charges that the men conspired in the past year to distribute 5 kilograms of cocaine, more than 100 kilograms of marijuana, anabolic steroids and Ecstasy. The indictment, which charges each with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, was sealed until all the defendants were arrested. [continues 569 words]
3 Of 4 Indicted Lawmen Were Deputies Of Famed Sheriff Gerald Hege Three Davidson County narcotics deputies and an Archdale police sergeant have been indicted on federal drug charges, along with two men the officers initially went undercover to investigate, authorities said. The charges against the deputies brought unwelcome attention to a department led by Sheriff Gerald Hege, known for controversial tough-on-crime tactics. The suspects each face between 10 years and life imprisonment. Agents with the FBI and the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation arrested the six men late Tuesday and early Wednesday following an eight-month investigation. Agents searched a Davidson County narcotics and vice sub-station and five patrol cars as part of the probe. [continues 390 words]
The Davidson County sheriff's office wants to start a military-style program to help youngsters missing school, disobeying teachers and parents, abusing drugs or alcohol, or committing other minor crimes. The county commissioners Tuesday night rejected a request for $33,400 in matching funds so the sheriff's office could seek a $100,200 grant from the Governor's Crime Commission to start the program. But Sgt. Timothy W. Sells, who presented the request, said Wednesday he will seek startup funds from private sources. [continues 679 words]
Assistant Attorney General Charged After His Car Ran Off I-85 Near Lexington And Hit A Tree An assistant state attorney general was arrested on drug charges yesterday after the 1991 Ford Explorer that he was driving swerved across three lanes of Interstate 85, ran off the road and hit a tree. Authorities charged William Dennis Worley, 33, of Raleigh with misdemeanor of possession of ketamine, a general anesthetic; misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia; and a felony charge of maintaining a vehicle for a controlled substance after finding the drugs in his car. [continues 336 words]
