Pubdate: Wed, 22 Sep 2004 Source: News-Enterprise, The (KY) Copyright: 2004 News-Enterprise Contact: http://www.newsenterpriseonline.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1663 Author: Brian Walker Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/af.htm (Asset Forfeiture) SEIZED PROPERTY, CASH TURN INTO BOON FOR KSP Crime does pay, but only if you're the police and you seize illegal drugs, guns, money and property and get a successful prosecution. The Kentucky State Police were honored with $329,843.60 and plaques at a Tuesday ceremony. David L. Huber, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky, presented the money, a large portion of the ill-gotten gains seized by troopers, to state KSP officials to put in its general fund. "These state and federal investigations demonstrate the effective use of both criminal prosecutions and federal forfeiture laws to address drug dealing," Huber said. "We put them in jail and take away their ill-gotten goods." Also present at the meeting were Lt. Gov. Steve Pence and KSP Commissioner Mark L. Miller, who each held Huber's post prior to joining state government. All three said the efforts of troopers and agencies that assisted in some cases were important to the war on drugs in Kentucky. The troopers honored with plaques and handshakes of gratitude were Seth Payne, Mark Combs, Brian Gann, Bobby Murray and Israel Slinker. KSP canine Fero was given a plaque, a package of dog treats and a pat on the head from nearly everyone at the ceremony. Officers from Elizabeth-town KSP Post No. 4 had a hand in two of three cases cited at Tuesday's ceremony. The seizure of drugs, moneys, guns and property from Francis Wayne Greenwell last year just over the Nelson County line brought in an estimated $1.95 million, Huber said. The bust of George H. Mitchell III at a road check in Muldraugh netted drugs and $102,507 in cash. A raid by troopers from other posts on the home of Randall C. McIntyre in 2001 brought in 15 pounds of marijuana, guns and $16,000 in cash. Huber said the total amount of cash and property taken from the three cases was $611,179. An estimated $1.8 million in drugs never made it to the hands of users due to the efforts of officers. Pence said he was very happy with the caliber of work the KSP does in the area of drug enforcement. "One of my proudest times in my career was when I was commissioner of the KSP for about a month (prior to Miller's appointment)," Pence said. BY THE NUMBERS The Kentucky State Police was awarded $329,843.60 and several troopers were recognized by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Louisville Tuesday. The funds were part of what was confiscated during three illegal drug and property seizures in the past year. - - KSP Troopers and federal agents raided the home of Francis Wayne Greenwell in April 2003. He had 1,199 pounds of marijuana, six kilograms of cocaine, $341,941 in cash, 75 firearms and body armor at his three Nelson County properties. Authorities estimate the total value of the seized items was $600,000. Greenwell pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 17 years in prison followed by five years supervised release. - - In September and October 2001 KSP narcotics detectives made drug buys from Randall C. McIntyre. When officers raided his home on Oct. 21, 2001, they found 15 pounds of compressed pot, more than $16,000 in cash and numerous firearms. McIntyre pleaded guilty and received seven years in prison with three years supervised release. - - KSP Trooper Seth Payne of Elizabethtown Post No. 4 was working at a road check in Muldraugh on Nov. 30, 2003, when he saw a car turn around to avoid officers. When Payne stopped George H. Mitchell III, he found bits of marijuana and a white residue. Also recovered was $102.507 in cash. Mitchell had been on supervised release from a cocaine conviction. His release was revoked and he was sentenced to an additional 11 months in prison. Source: U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky David L. Huber. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek