Pubdate: Sat, 28 Jan 2006
Source: Tennessean, The (TN)
Copyright: 2006 The Tennessean
Contact:  http://www.tennessean.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/447
Author: Sheila Burke
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/corrupt.htm (Corruption - United States)

METRO OFFICER CHARGED WITH DRUG ROBBERY

2nd Person In Conspiracy, Federal Indictment Says

A Metro Police officer was charged with drug trafficking and robbery 
yesterday after a federal grand jury named him in a four-count 
indictment stemming from an ongoing conspiracy investigation.

Officer Charles R. Williams III is accused of robbing someone of more 
than 500 grams of a substance containing cocaine while threatening 
the victim with his police-issued service weapon. Williams, according 
to the indictment, handcuffed the victim during the robbery.

It was an investigation by members of Williams' own department that 
initially led to the federal indictment. The police later went to the 
federal Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Attorney's 
office for help.

Federal prosecutors and Metro police refused to disclose many details 
of the case, and it wasn't clear last night whether any other 
officers are under investigation. The indictment accuses Williams of 
conspiring with someone to take the drugs.

"Because this case involves matters that remain under active 
investigation by our department and the federal government, I am 
unable to discuss any of the details surrounding Williams' 
indictment," Metro Police Chief Ronal Serpas said in a statement.

"Obviously, I am very disturbed by Williams' alleged betrayal of the 
public's trust, but this case should in no way detract from the 
tremendous work being done by our more than 1,200 police officers every day."

Williams, 37, was investigating gangs for the police on April 30, 
2003, the day he is accused of stealing the drugs.

An informant tipped off narcotics officers in the Specialized 
Investigations Division more than a year ago, Metro police said.

Police stripped Williams of his gun and badge and placed him on desk 
duty as a result of a preliminary investigation.

After he was indicted, he was placed on immediate administrative leave.

Williams is a 15-year police department veteran. He has never been 
investigated by the department's Office of Professional 
Accountability, which deals with complaints on the misconduct of officers.
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