Pubdate: Fri, 12 Jan 2001
Source: Cincinnati Enquirer (OH)
Copyright: 2001 The Cincinnati Enquirer
Contact:  2055 Reading Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Feedback: http://enquirer.com/editor/letters.html
Website: http://enquirer.com/today/
Author: Janice Morse

GRAND JURY GETS DRUG CASE

Defense Alleges Police 'Setup'

OXFORD - A defense lawyer on Thursday alleged his college-student client 
may have been snared in a "setup" drug deal last fall as a pre-election 
publicity stunt.

But Butler County sheriff's officials say that claim is baseless, 
especially because officers had no way of knowing whether a drug 
transaction would be completed.

"Day or night, before or after the election, we're going to enforce the 
drug laws," said sheriff's Maj. Anthony Dwyer, responding later in the day 
to attorney Michael Shanks' allegations. "We do not choose people who 
choose to deal with dope. They choose themselves."

Mr. Shanks represents Justin Baker, who appeared in Butler County Area I 
court for a preliminary hearing Thursday on a charge of possession of 
cocaine, a first-degree felony. Mr. Baker's co-defendant, Stephen Wolf, 
previously pleaded guilty to a reduced charge in exchange for his agreement 
to testify against Mr. Baker, who remains free on bond.

The case has been high-profile because the pair were accused of having 
$50,000 worth of cocaine and because their parents are prominent in 
Hamilton. Mr. Baker's mother is Janet Baker, superintendent of Hamilton 
City schools; Mr. Wolf's father is lawyer Myron Wolf.

After Thursday's hearing, Judge Rob Lyons found sufficient evidence to send 
the case to a grand jury.
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