Pubdate: Thu, 02 Dec 2004
Source: Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)
Copyright: 2004 The Commercial Appeal
Contact:  http://www.commercialappeal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/95
Author: Sherri Drake

THIRD OFFICER PLEADS NOT GUILTY

Vaughan Facing Drug Charges, Out On Bond

A Memphis cop, charged with having drugs to sell, was silent in court
Wednesday as his attorney told a judge he wasn't guilty.

John D. Vaughan, with fellow officers David Tate and Billy Scott, is
charged with having 150 tablets of Ecstasy and 10 kilograms of a
substance containing methamphetamine.

Vaughan, 28, who's out on bond, pleaded not guilty Wednesday, a day
after Scott, also 28, was released from jail after admitting guilt.

In the same indictment, Scott, Tate and 21-year-old accomplice April
Veach are charged with planning to break into Jerry Lawler's home.

They were arrested before they could snatch $200,000 they thought was
stashed in the professional wrestler's jukebox.

Scott and Tate also are charged with other drug violations and with
driving FBI agents posing as prostitutes to Tunica to sell sex to big
spenders.

Tuesday, a prosecutor told U.S. Dist. Judge Bernice Donald he agreed
to release Scott, who pleaded not guilty, on $20,000 bond because he'd
made a confession. He didn't say what Scott admitted.

Vaughan is the last of the four charged in the indictment to plead not
guilty.

He was released on $10,000 bond last week. Veach was released on
$5,000 bond and Tate, who didn't ask for bond, is still detained.

Vaughan, who arrived and left the courtroom with his fiancee, also
asked to break one condition of his release.

A judge OK'd his request to travel outside of West Tennessee to spend
Christmas Eve and Christmas with his fiancee's mother.

After the hearing, Vaughan wouldn't comment about his charges or
Scott's admission of guilt. "You'll have to talk to my attorney," he
told reporters.

His attorney, Randy Alden, did not return calls Wednesday.

Tate, 37, resigned Nov. 22 after 18 years with the
department.

Scott, a six-year officer assigned to the Central Precinct, and
Vaughan, a five-year officer assigned to the Special Traffic
Enforcement Unit, were suspended with pay during the investigation.
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