Pubdate: Sat, 19 Feb 2005 Source: Post and Courier, The (Charleston, SC) Copyright: 2005 Evening Post Publishing Co. Contact: http://www.charleston.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/567 Author: Ted Williams Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine) 3 LOCAL LAWYERS GET PROBATION IN DRUG CASE FLORENCE--A former Lowcountry prosecutor and two lawyers who faced prison time for their roles in a Charleston County drug ring were instead placed on probation Friday. The trio pleaded guilty in a Florence County courtroom to conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Circuit Judge James E. Brogdon Jr. sentenced former 9th Circuit assistant solicitor Damon Cook of Mount Pleasant to five years in prison and a $12,500 fine. Brogdon then suspended the sentence to three years of probation and a $2,000 fine, along with 120 days of intense supervision. Tara Anderson Thompson of Daniel Island was sentenced to seven years and a $12,500 fine, suspended to three years' probation and $2,000, with 150 days of intense supervision. Todd Anthony Strich of Charleston was sentenced to three years and a $12,500 fine, suspended to three years' probation and $1,000 with 90 days of intense supervision. All three are required to submit to drug and alcohol testing and must speak twice a year to students about the dangers of drugs. If the terms of their sentences are met, all three can finish probation in two years, according to South Carolina Attorney General's Office spokesman Mark Plowden. "We wanted to hold them to the same standard as any other citizen would be held to," said Assistant Attorney General August "Tav" G. Swarat II. "We didn't give them any benefit by their positions as attorneys in the community, and we made sure they faced the same charges any citizen would face." A state grand jury indicted the three on conspiracy charges in May in connection with a drug ring operating in Charleston County. The court proceedings Friday started as Brogdon asked the three to enter their pleas. Each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Swarat said the defendants were not trying to make a profit from the cocaine. He said the conspiracy charge was brought because they shared the drug with others. Each defendant was then permitted to speak on his or her own behalf, along with family and friends. Thompson's father and brother spoke on her behalf before she did. When addressing the court, she said, "I'm very sorry to bring this dishonor to my family, and I'm embarrassed I've brought them into this situation." Cook was the next to address the court, and his employer, mother and father spoke in his defense. Cook gave a tear-filled apology to everyone, including the legal community. Strich also was remorseful and apologized for his actions. The State Law Enforcement Division started uncovering facts in the case in March. SLED agent Max Dorsey detailed how each defendant conspired to distribute cocaine. After a 10-minute recess, Brogdon sentenced the defendants. "The shame and embarrassment is beyond measure. ... Truly, it is a sad day for our profession." Last year, the South Carolina Supreme Court barred the three lawyers from practicing law until further notice. Others involved in the case are in various stages of the legal process. Rebecca McCollum of Pickens has pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and one count of distribution, Plowden said. She was sentenced to 12 years in prison, suspended to four years' probation, including six months of house arrest. She is required to submit to drug and alcohol testing and must speak four times a year to students. Charles Deese Jr. of Ladson has been indicted on four charges of trafficking cocaine, including two counts of trafficking more than 100 grams. A sixth person indicted, Joseph Angelo Ambrosia of Charleston, remains at large, Plowden said. If convicted, he faces a mandatory 25-year sentence on the charge of trafficking more than 100 grams of cocaine. The Associated Press contributed to this report. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin