Pubdate: Thu, 08 Feb 2001
Source: San Antonio Express-News (TX)
Copyright: 2001 San Antonio Express-News
Contact:  400 3rd St., San Antonio, TX 78287-2171
Fax: 210-250-3105
Website: http://www.mysanantonio.com/expressnews/
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Author: Zeke MacCormack

FORMER TROOPER FACES NARCOTICS CHARGE

Instead of handing over drugs seized during investigations for use as
evidence at trials, authorities say, Department of Public Safety Trooper
William E. Gordon III kept some for what one prosecutor called "a personal
collection."

Concerns about missing evidence prompted searches in November, Gordon's
resignation in January, his indictment last week on a felony drug charge and
his arrest this week in Kerrville, officials said.

Gordon, 30, stands charged with possessing more than 4 grams but less than
200 grams of tetrahydrocannabinol (hashish), a court clerk said.

Gordon, of Mountain Home, surrendered Tuesday at Kerr County Jail, where he
was booked and released on a $15,000 bond.

Jail officials also said Gordon, who faces a March 1 arraignment on the drug
charge, was also booked on a Kendall County misdemeanor warrant alleging
theft by check.

Kendall County Attorney Ross Fischer said a warrant was issued there after
Gordon failed to respond to a demand letter seeking payment on a $228.23
check for ranch supplies. The account had insufficient funds, Fischer said.

Gordon, who served as a trooper since 1994, could not be reached for comment
Wednesday.

Kerr County District Attorney Ron Sutton said problems arose last summer in
locating drugs seized by Gordon and needed for trials.

"We had to dismiss several cases because of his involvement," Sutton said of
Gordon. "He claimed to have mailed (the drugs) in to the DPS (in Austin),
but he had no receipts to show he mailed it."

The DPS conducted searches of Gordon's possessions on Nov. 25, during which
authorities allege they found the missing drug evidence.

"They found various drugs in his desk, patrol car and residence that he had
seized but had failed to turn in to the DPS custodian for evidence," Sutton
said.

"There's no indication that he was using or selling the drugs," Sutton said.
"It was as if he had a personal collection."

Although several drugs were found, Sutton said he only sought an indictment
for possession of hashish, a second-degree felony.

"The others would either be a third-degree felony or state jail felony," he
said.

DPS spokeswoman Tela Mange said Gordon was stationed in Southeast Texas from
1994 until 1998, when he moved to Kerrville.

"It's very distressing," she said of Gordon's arrest.

But, she added, "with 7,000 employees, whether it be in law enforcement,
newspapers or other professions, you're going to have people who are doing
things they shouldn't do."
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