Pubdate: Fri, 10 Jun 2005
Source: San Francisco Chronicle (CA)
Contact:  2005 Hearst Communications Inc.
Website: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/388
Author: Jaxon Van Derbeken, Chronicle Staff Writer

S.F. PROSECUTOR INDICTED IN CORRUPTION CASE

A San Francisco prosecutor was arrested today on federal corruption
charges in what investigators allege was a scheme to trade drugs for
favorable treatment in a criminal case.

Assistant District Attorney Robert Roland, 34, of San Francisco, a
five-year veteran of the district attorney's office, and Eric Shaw,
33, were charged with engaging in a conspiracy in which Roland
allegedly made a favorable deal with the defendant in exchange for
methamphetamine and ecstasy.

Roland is accused of helping an alleged methamphetamine dealer, Ryan
Nyberg, and using Shaw, a high school friend, as an
intermediary.

According to an indictment unsealed today, Nyberg was facing felony
drug charges in 2003. Roland, prosecuting the case, agreed to a plea
deal that allowed Nyberg to escape jail time with a diversion program,
the indictment says. Afterward, Nyberg gave him drugs as compensation,
according to the indictment.

The charges allege that Nyberg continued to provide ecstasy and
methamphetamine to Shaw so it could be furnished to Roland.

The indictment also says Roland agreed to resolve a separate drug case
against Shaw by dismissing one of the felony counts. The indictment
charges Roland with lying to federal investigators for saying he had
no involvement in that case.

Roland also is accused of lying when he told investigators he wasn't
using drugs.

He surrendered Friday and was released on a $200,000 surety bond. His
attorney, Joe Morehead, said the charges rest on the testimony of a
convicted drug dealer, Nyberg, who was not indicted in this case.

"Nyberg is the main government witness," Morehead said. "It is tragic
that a (prosecutor) is facing charges based on the testimony of a
convicted felon."

District Attorney Kamala Harris' office put out a statement saying
Roland had been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of
the case.

The statement said the allegations "cut to the heart of the ethical
obligation" of prosecutors. It noted that the alleged crimes took
place before Harris became district attorney in 2004, and said the
office has since "implemented internal controls, including a strong
chain of command to ensure consistency with case handling."
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