Pubdate: Thu, 08 Nov 2001
Source: Greensboro News & Record (NC)
Copyright: 2001 Greensboro News & Record, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.news-record.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/173
Author: Cheris Hodges
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/corrupt.htm (Corruption)

POLICE CHIEF RESPONDS TO OFFICER'S ARREST

THOMASVILLE -- A city police officer arrested Monday was charged after an 
investigation initiated by the department on a tip from an informant. Sgt. 
Russell McHenry, 32, of 5524-B W. Market St.in Greensboro was arrested 
shortly after 9 p.m. Monday and charged with trafficking in MDMA (ecstasy), 
conspiracy to traffic in MDMA, possession with intent to sell and deliver 
marijuana and conspiracy to deliver marijuana.

The 11-year-veteran of the Thomasville Police Department was released from 
the Guilford County Jail in Greensboro Tuesday after a bond hearing. He is 
scheduled to be in court on Dec. 12.

Thomasville Police Chief Larry Murdock said an informant told his office 
that McHenry was involved in drugs about eight weeks ago. Officers from the 
vice/narcotics unit opened an investigation and the State Bureau of 
Investigations was contacted.

"Through the joint investigative efforts of both agencies, adequate 
evidence was obtained leading to the arrest of Sgt. McHenry," Murdock 
stated in a release.

Neither Murdock nor SBI agents would release additional details of the 
investigation. Murdock said McHenry is not accused of taking any drugs from 
police custody.

"I can assure you that none of the drugs came from the evidence room," he said.

McHenry, who was promoted to patrol supervisor two years ago, resigned 
after his arrest, Murdock said.

"(McHenry) did a good job for us. He worked well with the men, he was a 
good officer," Murdock said.

The chief said he is "a little depressed" that one of his officers lowered 
his moral and ethical standards to get involved with drugs, but he is not 
ashamed of the handling of the investigation.

"We didn't sweep this under the rug. We treated this like any other 
investigation, and we probably put more emphasis on it because it was one 
of our own," Murdock said.
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