Pubdate: Wed, 20 Jul 2005
Source: Bolivar Commercial, The (Cleveland, MS)
Copyright: 2005 The Bolivar Commercial
Contact:  http://www.bolivarcom.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1775
Author: Landry Barbieri

SHELBY MAYOR DESCRIBES WEEKEND RAID

Friday evening, the town of Shelby received a dose of excitement when 
several arrests were made and a search of Mayor Robert Patton's was conducted.

Around 9:15 p.m. Friday, Mayor Patton said that he heard a knock at 
his front door. He explained that before he could open the door, 
agents with Mississippi Bureau of Investigation were in his home.

"When I got to the den, the state and federal police kicked the door 
in and shouted for me to lay on the floor," said Patton. "I did what 
I was told because I was brought up to always respect and obey the law."

Patton said that the agents informed him that his home would be 
searched and that he would receive a warrant later that evening. He 
explained that told the agents he was the mayor and remained calm for 
the duration of the search.

"They really confused me," said the mayor. "I stayed calm and 
respected the state law officers."

Patton said that at approximately 11:45 p.m., the Drug Enforcement 
Agency Task Force arrived at his home in order to carry on with the 
search. Patton said it was DEA agent Chris Bishop who issued him a 
warrant and soon ended the search just past midnight.

Patton's bank statements, insurance records and other financial 
statements were seized, but no illegal substances were found in his 
home. He insists that he does not know the reason behind the search.

"The officers found no drugs on my premises. I do not support any 
forms of illegal drug activities. I always work hard and try to stay 
clean," said Patton.

Patton said that Federal agents continued their sweep of Shelby and 
before leaving discovered an undisclosed amount of narcotics, cash 
and raw diamonds in the home of Mary Sutton. Though Darell Christian, 
Patton's son, was taken to Oxford in connection with the items, he 
was not charged and was later released.

Patton said that his son was not involved with the drugs found in 
Sutton's home and did not have previous connections with controlled substances.

"I think that Mary and him are just friends," said the mayor of his 
son. "I think that he just happened to show up there."

Repeated attempts to contact the Drug Enforcement Agency for 
information regarding the incident were fruitless. Individuals at the 
agency said they would not share information until their media 
relations contact returned to the office and claimed not to know when 
that person would be returning.
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MAP posted-by: Beth