Pubdate: Sat, 30 Aug 2003
Source: Clarion-Ledger, The (MS)
Copyright: 2003 The Clarion-Ledger
Contact: http://www.clarionledger.com/about/letters.html
Website: http://www.clarionledger.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/805

RESTRAINING ORDER AGAINST MELTON DENIED

A federal judge has dismissed a Jackson attorney's request for a 
restraining order against the state's drug czar.

Attorney Cynthia Stewart filed a request for a restraining order against 
Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics Director Frank Melton last week.

Stewart also was seeking a preliminary injunction against Melton to keep 
him from using his power of office "to arrest, threaten to arrest, harass, 
intimidate or interfere" with her.

Stewart's client, Marcell Martin, had been charged with being a felon in 
possession of firearms. Martin, 27, of Jackson, was among 18 people Melton 
said were arrested in a crackdown on a Cohea Street drug gang.

Melton said last week a lawyer and other "downtown Jackson professionals" 
would be arrested in connection with the gang. He did not name Stewart. No 
arrests have occurred. "But they are forthcoming," Melton said Friday. "We 
are preparing material dealing with the Cohea group to be presented to a 
grand jury."

U.S. District Judge Tom S. Lee says in the order filed late Thursday "there 
is not now, and never has been, an intent by the Mississippi Bureau of 
Narcotics to effectuate the prosecution or arrest of Cynthia Stewart."

Melton said he had no comment on the order. Stewart could not be reached 
Friday.
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