Pubdate: Thu, 18 Aug 2005
Source: Tahlequah Daily Press (OK)
Copyright: Tahlequah Daily Press 2005
Contact:  http://www.tahlequahdailypress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2636
Author: Bob Gibbins, staff writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

DEPUTY, JAILER HIT WITH DRUG CHARGES

A Cherokee County sheriff's deputy and a jailer were charged Wednesday
as part of an investigation into allegations the men were providing
drugs to inmates at the county jail.

Dusty Glyn Ryals, 21, and Lynn McClain Trammel, 20, were expected to
turn themselves in at the county jail this morning, according to
Sheriff Norman Fisher. Both men will be terminated from their
positions after the booking process.

Ryals has been charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession
of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia; Trammel is charged with
possession of paraphernalia.

District Attorney Richard L. Gray said his office will amend the
charges against both men based on test results received Wednesday from
the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation lab. A charge of possession
of cocaine will be added to Ryals' counts, and charges of possession
of methamphetamine and possession of cocaine will be added to those
counts facing Trammel.

An affidavit filed by OSBI Special Agent Vicky Lyons states both men
denied involvement in drug trafficking in the jail. They ultimately
admitted using methamphetamine and said they obtained the substance
from Ricky Griggs, a jail trusty at the time.

Lyons' affidavit also states Ryals claims the marijuana could not be
secured at the sheriff's office, so his supervisor, Deputy John C.
Wofford, instructed him to take it to his home. But Fisher said
although Wofford had told Ryals to secure the marijuana, he did not
tell him to take it home.

Fisher said he's watched both men grow up and knows their
families.

"I feel sorry for their moms and dads," he said. "This is an
unfortunate incident, but it's something I can't tolerate."

Gray also called the matter unfortunate.

"It's time they step up to the plate and pay the price for what
they've done," Gray said.

Fisher said he and deputies took an oath to enforce the law. He added
that Ryals and Trammel had both just been getting started in their law
enforcement careers.

The sheriff became aware of the matter last week while attending an
Oklahoma Sheriffs Association meeting in Tulsa. He said he immediately
suspended Ryals and Trammel.

An investigator from Gray's office interviewed several witnesses this
week before charges were filed.

"I started doing something about it as soon as I learned of the
situation," Fisher said. "I want the public to know this activity is
not something I will allow to take place."

The sheriff said he chose to suspend Ryals and Trammel with pay to
allow them to have due process. He said a thorough investigation's
been done, and charges have been filed.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin