Pubdate: Wed, 16 Jan 2002
Source: Oklahoman, The (OK)
Copyright: 2002 The Oklahoma Publishing Co
Contact:  http://www.oklahoman.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/318
Author: Dawn Marks

PERRY FIREFIGHTER FACES DRUG COUNTS

Perry: Firefighter Suspended With Pay

PERRY -- A firefighter is accused of selling methamphetamine while on duty. 
The Noble County district attorney's office filed drug charges Tuesday 
against Larry Wayne Voss, 34, after he was arrested early Saturday.

Police Chief Fred LeValley said officers Friday night discovered after 
another drug arrest that Voss might be selling methamphetamine.

According to a court affidavit, a Perry police officer recorded a drug 
transaction between Voss and an informant early Saturday in front of the 
fire station. Voss was on duty, the affidavit states.

The informant "gave the defendant $120 for about 1.6 grams of a white 
powdery substance," the affidavit states. Tests later determined the 
substance was methamphetamine.

After Voss was arrested about 3:30 a.m. Saturday, officers found about 0.6 
gram of methamphetamine, a hypodermic needle and a spoon in his pockets, 
the affidavit states.

Voss told police he sold the drug to the informant because he needed money, 
the affidavit states.

Voss is charged with unlawful distribution of a controlled substance within 
2,000 feet of a school, possession of a controlled substance and unlawful 
possession of drug paraphernalia.

In a written statement, Mayor Leroy Rolling said he was saddened by the 
turn of events.

"If the allegations are proven true, it demonstrates the death grip that 
methamphetamine has on some of our residents. ... My duty is to ensure that 
this type of illegal activity does not occur among Perry employees and 
especially among those employees engaged in activities which directly 
affect the safety of others," Rolling wrote.

It also states that Voss is suspended with pay until an administrative 
investigation is conducted.

The fire chief could not be reached Tuesday for comment.

Rolling also stated that the Board of Aldermen next week would consider 
amending the city's substance abuse policy to allow random substance abuse 
testing for firefighters and emergency medical personnel.

Voss has been a full-time firefighter for about a year and was a volunteer 
firefighter for 13 years, LeValley said.

Voss posted bail Tuesday. If convicted, he could face up to life in prison 
and up to $21,000 in fines.
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