Pubdate: Sat, 02 Apr 2005
Source: Florence Morning News, The (SC)
Copyright: 2005 Media General, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.morningnewsonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1525
Author: Bobby Tedder
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/corrupt.htm (Corruption - United States)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

FLORENCE POLICE DEPARTMENT OFFICER ARRESTED

FLORENCE - A longtime Florence police officer was dismissed from her
post and jailed by State Law Enforcement Division agents Friday
morning amid allegations of illegal drug activity.

Debravka "Debbie" Perry, 37, of 805-H Parker Drive, Florence, was
arrested about 11 a.m. and later booked at the Florence County
Detention on charges of distribution of crack cocaine and misconduct
in office.

The SLED investigation was conducted at the request of the Florence
Police Department, Chief Anson Shells said.

"When the allegations against Ms. Perry were brought to my attention,
I immediately contacted (SLED) for their assistance," he said.
"Subsequent to the outcome of that investigation, she is no longer an
employee of the Florence Police Department."

Shells declined to comment further, "due to employments issues being
involved."

Between September and October 2004, Perry delivered crack cocaine to a
male acquaintance's residence on Tutson Alley in Florence, according
to SLED arrest warrants. Perry, while working as a police officer,
also confiscated liquor and then gave it to the man's friends.

The nature of Perry's relationship with the man is unclear. SLED
agents confirmed that he, too, is under investigation.

"We still have that end of it under investigation ... that's all I can
say at this point," SLED spokesman Mike Brown said Friday.

Perry was released from the jail in Effingham on a $50,000 personal
recognizance bond Friday.

The case, which according to SLED reports will be prosecuted by the
12th Circuit Solicitor's Office, is the latest in a string of similar
investigations this year involving Pee Dee area law enforcement officers.

Lake City Police Lt. William Webb was arrested in mid-February amid
allegations he accepted thousands of dollars from drug dealers to
protect their illegal activities and actively participated in the sale
of drugs for about a decade.

Before that, in late January, McBee Police Officer Jason W. Gainey was
jailed amid allegations he sold drugs that had been seized as evidence
in the Patrick area of Chesterfield County.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin