Pubdate: Wed, 17 Aug 2005
Source: Tahlequah Daily Press (OK)
Copyright: Tahlequah Daily Press 2005
Contact:  http://www.tahlequahdailypress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2636

SHERIFF EMPLOYEES REMAIN ON SUSPENSION

TAHLEQUAH - The suspensions of a Cherokee County sheriff's deputy and 
jailer will continue, Sheriff Norman Fisher said Monday.

Fisher on Friday suspended Deputy Dusty Ryals and Jailer Lynn Trammel after 
Chief Investigator Jason Chennault and an investigator for the District 27 
drug task force found marijuana and paraphernalia at their home north of 
Tahlequah earlier last week.

Fisher said Monday that he and District Attorney Richard L. Gray have 
decided to seek the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation's assistance in 
the matter before a final decision on Ryals' and Trammel's status is made.

Fisher spoke with Gray Monday morning, and he also talked to the two employees.

"At this time, they'll remain on suspension with pay until the OSBI does 
its investigation," he said. "We thought it would be best for an outside 
agency to look at everything."

Fisher said last week the DA's investigator received information that Ryals 
and Trammel may be involved in getting drugs into the jail. He said both 
employees have cooperated in the investigation.

Both men are denying the allegations, and claim the marijuana seized last 
week was some Ryals took as evidence during an arrest. He said it was being 
kept at his home because his work locker could not be secured. His 
supervisor told him to retain the marijuana so the chain of custody would 
not be broken.

Gray said the "bong" (marijuana smoking device) seized also showed a trace 
of methamphetamine.
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