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. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth