Pubdate: Sat, 28 Oct 2000
Source: Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel (FL)
Copyright: 2000 Sun-Sentinel Company
Contact:  http://www.sun-sentinel.com/services/letters_editor.htm
Website: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Forum: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/community/interact1.htm

DEALER CUTS OFF AID TO JACKSONVILLE CORRUPT-COP CASE; GETS 30 YEARS

JACKSONVILLE -- A 29-year-old drug dealer has been sentenced to 30 years in 
prison after refusing to continue to cooperate in a federal grand jury 
investigation of some Jacksonville police officers.

Derrick "Smiley" Smith had earlier worked out a plea agreement in which 
prosecutors would drop all but one drug charge and would consider asking 
for further relief, depending on his cooperation with prosecutors.

But Smith quit cooperating and U.S. District Judge Henry Lee Adams Jr. 
refused to allow him to withdraw a guilty plea, sentencing him to 30 years 
in federal prison.

"This is a very strange case," Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Klindt told 
Adams. "Smith provided a great deal of information. He was very 
cooperative. Then, all of a sudden, something happened. It was like being 
in a room and the lights went out."

Klindt told the judge that as late as Thursday that he had asked Smith to 
resume his help.

When given a chance, Smith did not tell the court why he had quit cooperating.

"My cooperation has expanded this entire investigation where it is today," 
he told the judge.

Smith was one of three drug dealers who have cooperated with the 
investigation. Smith reportedly provided details on how at least one police 
officer was receiving payoffs for providing information about drug 
investigations.

The information led a task force of city, state and federal investigators 
to look into allegations of police and others being involved in a murder 
and robbery. Five police officers have been stripped of their duties, but 
no charges have yet been filed.
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