Henry County Virginia sheriff, 12 deputies indicted

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Henry County Virginia sheriff, 12 deputies indicted

Posted: 11/2/2006 2:22:45 PM EDT

The funny thing is I know the guy, I have been trying to buy his timber since July. He came across as being an asshole and other told me that they wouldn't trust him as far as they could throw him.

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Henry County Sheriff Frank Cassell was released on bond this afternoon, hours after he was arrested on federal charges of money laundering, obstruction of justice and making false statements to federal investigators.

Cassell, 12 other current and former officers and seven civilians were indicted by federal prosecutors on charges that include racketeering conspiracy, weapons charges, drug distribution and obstruction of justice.

They are accused in a 48-count indictment of participating in a scheme to sell drugs and firearms seized from criminals back into the community.

U.S. Attorney John Brownlee outlined the case and charges at a press conference this morning and called the defendants' alleged behavior "disgraceful corruption."

The investigation began in March 2005 with the delivery of a mail package containing the illegal drug Ketamine to a residence in Martinsville, the indictment states. A citizen who accepted the package, William Randall Reed, told authorities he rented the house from James Alden Vaught, then a sergeant with the Henry County Sheriff's Office, and paid Vaught in cash and Ketamine to use the house as a drug drop, the document states.

Vaught would end up cooperating with federal agents as the investigation moved forward, eventually providing evidence of illegal activity by about a dozen other members of the sheriff's office, the indictment states.
Related
Henry County Sheriff Frank Cassell

Eric Brady | The Roanoke Times

Henry County Sheriff Frank Cassell walks outside the Poff Federal Building in Roanoke.
U.S. Attorney John Brownlee talks about the investigation of the Henry County Sheriff's Office at a press conference held today at the Poff Federal Building in Roanoke.

Sam Dean | The Roanoke Times

U.S. Attorney John Brownlee talks about the investigation of the Henry County Sheriff's Office at a press conference held today at the Poff Federal Building in Roanoke.
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Timeline

Virginia State Police said they will boost security in Henry County with additional troopers while the sheriff's office recovers from the blow of losing its top two men and several others, said state police Superintendent W. Steven Flaherty.

"I want to reassure the people of Henry County that their law enforcement response is in sound hands," Flaherty said at a press conference this morning at the Poff Federal Building in Roanoke.

Henry County Deputy County Administrator Tim Hall said Capt. Lane Perry, who is the highest-ranking officer left in the department in the wake of this morning's arrests, is on the job today. Hall said Perry told him that everyone who was scheduled to work today who was not charged in the case will report to work.

Hall was shocked to learn of the charges. He said he first found out when he crested a hill on his way to the county administration building this morning and found the sheriff's office surrounded by a swarm of law enforcement vehicles. A helicopter hovered overhead, he added.

Hall briefed the county board of supervisors on the situation this morning and said they reacted with extreme surprise. He said his office has received a few calls from residents who just want to know "what's going on."

"Anybody that's elected, by definition people have given you their faith, and I'm sure there are some people who feel like they've been wronged," Hall said.

Stay with roanoke.com for more details as this story develops.

Posted: 11/2/2006 2:25:49 PM EDT

[#1]

The other by-product of the drug war, corrupt police.

Just like during Prohibition.

Posted: 11/2/2006 2:26:59 PM EDT

[#2]

Dupe: http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=513513

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Henry County Virginia sheriff, 12 deputies indicted

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