Pubdate: Wed, 22 Jun 2005 Source: Peoria Journal Star (IL) Copyright: 2005sPeoria Journal Star Contact: http://pjstar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/338 Author: John Sharp EX-OFFICER'S RESIDENCE IN QUESTION Former EP Policeman Is Accused Of Possessing A Variety Of Drugs PEKIN - Ronald Beeney was inside an East Peoria house the day authorities raided it and found it to be full of drugs, a Tazewell County jury learned Tuesday. But Beeney's attorney argues the 37-year-old former East Peoria patrol officer was never in possession of any drugs on Sept. 26, 2003, at 100 Ridge Lane. Attorney Brian Addy also said Beeney was living in Pekin at the time and was only an "overnight guest" of Julie Harris, with whom he had a previous relationship. Beeney, of 525 State St. in Pekin, is on trial facing a charge of unlawful possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver, a felony punishable by six to 30 years in prison. He also faces charges of unlawful possession of cocaine, two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of marijuana. The trial resumes at 9 a.m. today. A verdict is expected later this afternoon. Jurors on Tuesday spent most of the day listening as Assistant State's Attorney Michael Green presented his case, and they watched a videotape taken on Sept. 26, 2003, by agents with the Multi-County Narcotics Enforcement Group. A disturbing scene The tape showed a disturbing juxtaposition of drugs and police equipment owned by Beeney and Harris, 30, who was an auxiliary police officer at the time of the raid. Harris is facing the same charges as Beeney, who was an 11-year officer at the time he was arrested. Harris is due in court next month. The tape showed, among other things, two briefcases on a bed containing a crack pipe, cocaine and large amounts of money; powder cocaine; a WHAM! CD case with two razor blades; and a crack pipe found in the freezer. Meanwhile, inside a computer room, drugs and drug equipment were found on the floor near where authorities discovered Beeney's East Peoria police uniform and pictures of him partly nude hanging on the wall. In addition, authorities found a Narcotic Identification Kit (NIK), which can only be purchased by police agencies, according to Peoria County sheriff's Lt. Joseph Hartwig, who testified on behalf of the prosecution. Green also presented about 25 pieces of drug-related evidence and mailings connecting Beeney with the residence. A variety of drugs The drugs included nearly 30 grams of cocaine, large amounts of marijuana, several tablets of Ecstasy and hallucinogenic psilocybin mushrooms. In addition, authorities found large amounts of money stashed in different sections of the house. While Addy claimed Beeney had lived in Pekin since March 2003, Green had several pieces of mail with Beeney's name on them, including a water bill, a pornographic magazine and an International Male catalogue. But both of Beeney's parents claimed they would visit their son in Pekin often. Meanwhile, Addy disputed the mailings, saying no energy bills, bank or credit card statements or loan papers with Beeney's name on them were found at the Ridge Lane residence. Hartwig, however, said the raid on the house occurred after an informant told authorities that he could purchase cocaine through an intermediary who had connections with an East Peoria police officer. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh