Pubdate: Tue, 13 Aug 2002
Source: Virginian-Pilot (VA)
Copyright: 2002, The Virginian-Pilot
Contact:  http://www.pilotonline.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/483
Author: Amy Jeter

EX-DEPUTY CONVICTED ON WEAPONS, DRUG CHARGES

PORTSMOUTH -- A former Norfolk and Chesapeake sheriff's deputy was 
convicted Monday of drug and weapons charges. Sean Kelley Kirshon, 30, of 
Portsmouth, was found guilty of two felonies: possessing cocaine with 
intent to distribute and having a firearm while in possession of drugs. He 
also was found guilty of possessing marijuana, a misdemeanor.

Kirshon was arrested in March after police seized drugs, smoking devices, 
scales and a handgun from his residence in the 5600 block of Greenfield 
Drive South, in the city's Churchland section.

At the time, Kirshon acknowledged to police that he sold drugs to friends.

He was fired from the Norfolk Sheriff's Department three days after police 
searched his house. He also worked for the Chesapeake Sheriff's Department 
for a time.

During a bench trial Monday in Portsmouth Circuit Court, defense attorney 
Teddy Black told Judge Dean W. Sword there was no evidence that Kirshon 
knew the drugs were in the house and that the items seized by police could 
have belonged to someone else.

The gun that police found could have belonged to Kirshon's father, who 
works for the Chesapeake Sheriff's Department, Black said. Kirshon's father 
could not be reached for comment.

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Ed Ferreira said police found more than 
26 grams of cocaine in the house and drug paraphernalia in every room.

In his decision, Sword said the evidence indicated Kirshon was responsible 
for the items police found. The judge also dismissed the argument that 
weapons charges should not apply when firearms are issued to a 
law-enforcement officer.

``The question is, is the gun being used in the illegal drug trade?'' Sword 
said.

Kirshon is being held in Portsmouth City Jail without bond. He faces at 
least five years in prison because he was convicted of the firearms charge. 
His sentencing is scheduled for October.
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