Pubdate: Sat, 25 Jan 2003
Source: Commercial Appeal (TN)
Copyright: 2003 The Commercial Appeal
Contact:  http://www.gomemphis.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/95
Author: Bartholomew Sullivan

JURY CONVICTS EX-COP IN DRUG MONEY PLOT

Bradley Could Get 20 Years; Ark. Panel Acquits Applegate

LITTLE ROCK - A former West Memphis police sergeant accused of taking
money from suspected drug couriers faces a possible 20 years in prison
after he was convicted Friday by a federal court jury.

Former sergeant Edwin A. 'Tony' Bradley, 42, was found guilty of
conspiring to violate the civil rights of motorists and of stealing
FBI sting money. His co-defendant, former officer Joseph W. Applegate,
was acquitted of the single conspiracy charge he faced.

Juror Carol Gilbreath of Morrilton said the FBI case against Applegate
just "wasn't air-tight. They made a lot of messups, and you have to
convict beyond a reasonable doubt.''

The jury deliberated for eight hours over three days before reaching
its verdict Friday afternoon.

West Memphis Police Chief Robert Paudert, who went to the FBI with
suspicions about corruption among some of his drug interdiction
officers shortly after his appointment in 1999, said the guilty
verdict against Bradley was a vindication.

"Like I've said before, the actions of a few tarnish all law
enforcement,'' he said. "We're going to send a very strong message
over here in West Memphis that we're not going to tolerate corruption
any longer.''

Applegate, 32, shook hands with Bradley after the verdicts were
read.

Bradley wore a pained expression but maintained his composure. An
elderly family member collapsed outside the courtroom, wailing.

Bradley quickly left the courtroom. The date for his sentencing has
not been set.

Outside the courtroom, a teary-eyed Applegate told reporters: "It
feels good that, basically, the jury will set you free.''

However, federal prosecutors have three more chances to put Applegate
behind bars.

He's facing three more jury trials this year, including one scheduled
for Feb. 10 in which he's accused of similar conduct while serving as
a Crittenden County sheriff's deputy. Former deputy Louis F. Pirani
and his brother Steven Pirani are also charged in that case.

The jury of six women and six men heard testimony and arguments over
seven days before beginning their deliberations Wednesday evening.

Evidence presented against both men indicated that they reported
finding drug residue in a vehicle they stopped in March of 2001. They
also found $45,000 in the vehicle.

What they didn't know at the time was that the vehicle's occupants
were undercover FBI agents who were targeting the police officers in a
sting operation.

The officers later filed a report indicating that Applegate's
drug-sniffing dog "alerted'' to drug residue in the vehicle, although
the FBI agents testified at the trial that no drugs were present.

In July, both men were present during what the government contends was
the illegal search of another FBI sting vehicle containing $43,000 at
the Southland Greyhound Park in West Memphis.

The evidence suggested Bradley helped himself to at least $2,500 of
the $43,000 left in the rental car. It was recovered from a cash bank
deposit he made just 40 minutes before federal agents searched his
house, where they also found more of their marked bills.

In a search of Applegate's apartment, agents found $26,629 in cash,
but none from the sting.

FBI agent Michael T. Patkus testified this week that Applegate
acknowledged that the rental car at the dog track was never
field-tested for drugs, although a police report said it had tested
positive for marijuana.

The FBI videotaped the officers' search of the rental car and the tape
showed Bradley opening its trunk before Applegate's dog was brought in
to sniff it for drugs.

FBI witnesses said they began looking into alleged cash-skimming from
Interstate 40 motorists after complaints from public officials,
including at least one unidentified judge.

Crittenden County accounts for most of the cash seized
statewide.

In 1993, a previously constituted drug unit made up of West Memphis
and sheriff's department personnel was the subject of an investigation
by the Arkansas State Police.

Authorities found that officers, including Bradley, kept guns
confiscated from suspects, but no one was prosecuted.
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