Pubdate: Thu, 06 Mar 2003 Source: Decatur Daily (AL) Copyright: 2003 The Decatur Daily Contact: http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/index.shtml Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/696 Author: Chris Paschenko MORGAN DEPUTY ARRESTED BY FBI DENIES DRUG ALLEGATIONS HUNTSVILLE - A Morgan County sheriff's deputy accused by the FBI of distributing marijuana said he will fight the charges because he is innocent. Deputy Gregory Lamar Johnson, 37, of 616 Corsbie St., Hartselle, said from his attorney's office in Huntsville that he will plead not guilty at his arraignment. "I deny it, totally," Johnson said. "I'm going to fight this because it's ruined my name and my reputation, and I'm not going to stand for it." Johnson's attorney, Robert Shipman, said the charges brought against his client Monday didn't come first-hand from law enforcement personnel. "So far there are allegations in a complaint, but there's been no evidence presented." Shipman said. "The complaint is not by law enforcement persons that say they saw anything, but just by private citizens, one in particular, that say they saw him pass some marijuana." When asked if only private citizens brought complaints against Johnson, Supervisory Special Agent Mike Ponzo said the FBI cannot comment on the impending investigation. Another allegation brought in the FBI's affidavit states that while Johnson worked for the Hillsboro Police Department he signed for and took possession of marijuana that was confiscated as evidence, and then it turned up missing. According to the affidavit, the Lawrence County district attorney's office dropped a marijuana possession charge against Johnson because it was unclear whether the department or Johnson lost the evidence. Johnson, on the advice of his attorney, declined to comment on the matter. The affidavit further states that a woman interviewed by the FBI claims she developed a relationship with Johnson, receiving marijuana from him over several months, and that on one occasion he brought her marijuana in a Hillsboro police evidence envelope. Johnson, who previously worked with Hillsboro police before transferring to North Courtland, denies giving away, selling, buying or doing any form of drugs. "All these things are alleged," Johnson said. "All these things that are printed in the paper are alleged. This relationship that they're saying, it's alleged. It never happened, and I want to make that clear to everyone." Suspended From Job Johnson doesn't know what his specific employment status is with the Morgan County Sheriff's Department, saying he spoke with Sheriff Greg Bartlett briefly Monday. "I'm indefinitely suspended right now," Johnson said. "They're going to have a hearing with the Personnel Board. I don't know if I'm terminated. I don't know if I'm on leave without pay. I've spoken with him (Bartlett), and he said he supports me in a way, but he said it's what they had to do." Bartlett said earlier this week that he was taking immediate action to terminate the deputy through the county's personnel system. Shipman expressed confidence in his defense of Johnson. "We have a case that appears to involve a very small amount of marijuana, and we have a case where key people do not have the credibility of an FBI agent or a law enforcement person." Shipman said. "There is a lot more optimism from the defense under these circumstances." Shipman said neither he nor his client is certain of the identity of Johnson's accusers. "We don't want to name somebody and be incorrect, and put them in the same position he's (Johnson) been put in," Shipman said. "This is not an undercover policeman, and this is not law enforcement persons that say he did it. We're going to fight this, and he's asking everybody to wait before passing any judgment on him and see what facts come out." Johnson's indictment and arraignment are expected to come later this month. CORRECTION An article in Thursday's Valley Edition incorrectly reported that the Lawrence County district attorney's office dropped a past marijuana possession charge against Morgan County Deputy Sheriff Gregory Lamar Johnson. The charge was not against Johnson. It was against another man. THE DAILY regrets the error and is glad to set the record straight. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth