Pubdate: Wed, 11 Feb 2004 Source: Wichita Eagle (KS) Copyright: 2004 The Wichita Eagle Contact: http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/news/editorial/4664538.htm Website: http://www.wichitaeagle.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/680 Author: Tim Potter, The Wichita Eagle Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/corrupt.htm ( Corruption - United States) EX-SHERIFF INDICTED ON FEDERAL DRUG CHARGES Former Trego County Sheriff Curtis Bender has been indicted on federal charges of distributing cocaine shortly before he resigned last April, U.S. Attorney Eric Melgren announced today. A warrant had been issued for Bender's arrest, and Kansas Bureau of Investigation agents arrested him this morning in Lawrence, said Kena Rice, a spokeswoman for Melgren. "Law enforcement officers hold a position of trust in our communities, and that trust is rarely violated," Melgren said in a prepared statement. "However, on those rare occasions when allegations arise of wrongdoing by a law enforcement officer, the allegations will be aggressively investigated and prosecuted. Those who uphold and enforce the law must abide by the law." Melgren said he was not aware of any other former elected law enforcement official in Kansas who has faced federal charges. Bender, 37, of WaKeeney, has been charged along with two of his associates, Frank H. Casto, 33, of Quinter, and Steven C. Babcock, 29, of Logan, Melgren said. In a federal grand jury indictment returned Tuesday night, the three were each charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine from March 22 through March 25 in Trego County. Bender also is charged with two counts of distributing cocaine on March 22 and March 23, one count of attempting to distribute more than 1.1 pounds of cocaine March 25, and one count of possessing a handgun in furtherance of drug trafficking on March 25. Casto and Babcock also have been charged with additional drug offenses. The investigation began last March when the Kansas Bureau of Investigation received a tip that Bender, then sheriff, was trying to sell cocaine, Melgren said. Bender had originally been detained last March by undercover KBI agents, then federal charges were pursued, said Rod Page, KBI special agent in charge. Bender expressed "shock" when he was initially detained, Page said. Tuesday's indictment alleges that the cocaine had been turned over to Bender after it had been discovered in a seized car that had been sold at a sheriff's sale. Instead of destroying the drug, the indictment says, Bender kept it and distributed it or tried to distribute it in Trego and Ellis counties. Bender is scheduled to make his initial appearance Friday in U.S. District Court in Wichita. The other defendants have each been issued a summons to appear in court. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake