Pubdate: Wed, 07 Dec 2005
Source: Pantagraph, The  (IL)
Copyright: 2005 The Pantagraph
Contact:  http://www.pantagraph.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/643
Author: Brett Nauman
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Note: MAP archives articles exactly as published, except that our 
editors may redact the names and addresses of accused persons who 
have not been convicted of a crime, if those named are not otherwise 
public figures or officials.

PROBATION OFFICER CONFESSES TO DRUG USE

BLOOMINGTON -- A McLean County probation officer charged with 
possession of cocaine and official misconduct confessed to using the 
drug in her office at the Law and Justice Center, prosecutors said today.

[Name redacted], 35, was arrested Tuesday after Bloomington police 
detectives, who had search warrants, found cocaine residue in her 
trash, home, car and office, First Assistant State's Attorney Kim 
Campbell said.

Roxanne Castleman, director of court services, said she was shocked 
after hearing in court that Hart admitted to taking cocaine at the 
county's adult probation office.

"It is a shock. It's not something anyone was aware of," Castleman 
said, adding that anyone with their own private office could do the 
same thing unbeknownst to their co-workers. "It's a shame, but it can 
happen anywhere."

[Name redacted], who has worked as a probation officer for the county 
since 2001, appeared in court today after spending the night at the 
county jail. She gave family members a thumbs up before a judge set 
her bond at $1,000 cash.

The LeRoy woman is charged with possession of a controlled substance, 
possession of drug paraphernalia and official misconduct.

She was released from jail shortly after today's hearing and ordered 
to seek treatment for substance abuse.

[Name redacted] was charged with official misconduct because she used 
cocaine in her office at the Law and Justice Center, court records 
showed. Police charged her with possession of drug paraphernalia 
because they found a crack pipe during their search, according to 
court documents.

[Name redacted] was put on paid administrative leave after she was 
arrested Tuesday morning as she drove to work. Castleman said a 
decision regarding [Name redacted]'s future employment with the 
county had not been made as of today.

Castleman said [Name redacted] did not work directly with people on 
probation. Her main job duty was to scan local arrest records to see 
if anyone on active probation had been arrested. [Name redacted] 
would then refer any arrests to other probation officers to revoke 
the defendant's probation.

Bloomington police began investigating [Name redacted] after the 
department received information in September about her possibly using 
drugs. An investigation led to the search warrants used Tuesday to 
search her home and office.

[Name redacted] is scheduled to return to court Dec. 16 to be 
arraigned on the drug charges. Bloomington attorney Leann Hill is 
representing her and would not comment on the case following 
Wednesday's bond hearing.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman