Pubdate: Tue, 16 Jul 2002
Source: Northwest Arkansas Times (AR)
Copyright: 2002 Community Publishers Inc.
Contact:  http://www.nwarktimes.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/828
Author: Sarah Fisher, Northwest Arkansas Times

ECSTASY CHARGE AMENDED AGAINST FORMER LITTLE FLOCK POLICE

A charge filed in Washington County Circuit Court against a former Little 
Flock police officer has been amended.

Ian Smith, 33, was arrested in January after he allegedly sold two Ecstasy 
pills to a woman in a Fayetteville hotel room. In a filing at the 
Washington County Circuit Clerk's Office on Monday, Washington County 
Deputy Prosecutor Matt Durrett amended the charge against Smith to 
accomplice to possession of a controlled substance. Durrett said the 
amended charge more accurate ely reflects the information he has received 
concerning Smith's arrest.

"Assuming this is going to trial, I believe this is what actually happened 
and can be proven by the evidence," Durrett said Monday.

Smith was scheduled for trial today in Washington County Circuit Court on a 
charge he sold Ecstasy to a confidential informant but was granted a 
continuance Friday. His attorney, Jim Rose III, informed the court Friday 
that vital evidence needed for trial had not been made available to the 
defense. Rose listed the evidence as a videotape and audiotapes and said 
the problem was beyond the control of both the prosecutors and Drug 
Enforcement Administration.

Smith was arrested Jan. 17 by DEA agents after reportedly being monitored 
by undercover detectives from the 4th Judicial District Drug Task Force and 
neighboring task force members using surveillance equipment in nearby 
Radisson Hotel room. His roommate, Leonard "Chip" Scoggins, was also 
arrested. His case has been transferred to the Washington County Drug Court 
program, prosecutors said.

Information that prompted the investigation concerning Smith and his arrest 
in Washington County reportedly led to charges being filed in Benton County 
Circuit Court as well. Smith is scheduled for trial July 23 in Benton 
County on charges of rape and possession of a controlled substance, GBL. 
GBL is an acronym for gamma butyrolactone, a precursor in the manufacturing 
of GHB, or gamma hydroxybutyrate, a drug with euphoric and hallucinogenic 
effects that can be used to knock out victims in date-rape cases. Nine 
fluid ounces of GHB were reportedly found during a search of the Monte Ne 
home Smith shared with Scoggins.

Durrett said given the information provided about Smith's arrest it would 
be more difficult to prove Smith sold the Ecstasy to the women than it 
would to present evidence that he was in possession of the drug. The 
amended felony information filed states that Smith assisted another person 
in the possession of Ecstasy.
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