Pubdate: Sat, 07 Feb 2004
Source: Clarion-Ledger, The (MS)
Copyright: 2004 The Clarion-Ledger
Contact: http://www.clarionledger.com/about/letters.html
Website: http://www.clarionledger.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/805
Author: Associated Press

FORMER MISS. TROOPER ASKS COURT FOR TRIAL

A former Mississippi state trooper has asked an appeals court to allow
him to withdraw a guilty plea and stand trial on federal drug and
money-laundering charges.

Clifton D. Anderson, 49, had pleaded guilty to the charges and in 1997
was sentenced to 96 months in prison.

The charges stemmed from a July 1996 incident in which Anderson
stopped a suspected drug courier and seized the cocaine without
arresting the courier, according to prosecutors.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has twice thrown out Anderson's
sentence. The first time, in 2001, the 5th Circuit said the district
court erred in applying a two-level sentencing enhancement for
possession of a firearm - Anderson's police gun - and for grouping
sentences on different charges.

Anderson was re-sentenced to 87 months in prison. Last December, that
sentence was thrown out by the New Orleans court because Anderson was
not present for the sentencing.

On Jan. 16, U.S. District Judge Neal Biggers Jr. rejected Anderson's
motion to withdraw his plea. On Feb. 4, Biggers sentenced Anderson to
time already served.

Anderson, a Shelby native who was with the Highway Patrol for 18
years, served about 6 1/2 years in a federal penitentiary and now
lives in Massachusetts, said Oxford attorney Jay Westfaul.

Westfaul said Friday that Anderson continues to pursue a trial "where
his named will be cleared."
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin