Pubdate: Mon, 22 May 2006
Source: Herald-Dispatch, The (Huntington, WV)
Copyright: 2006 The Herald-Dispatch
Contact:  http://www.hdonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1454
Author: Curtis Johnson, The Herald-Dispatch
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

STILL TOO MANY DRUG OFFENDERS MAKING BOND, POLICE SAY

Local magistrates have started setting higher bonds in drug cases, 
but police say many of the defendants have proven the higher amounts 
are still within their reach.

Many times, that leads to the defendant getting out of jail, 
returning to his criminal activity and being arrested all over again 
on new charges. Police say it is a frustrating cycle that 
unnecessarily places everyone's life at risk.  ADVERTISEMENT

Steven Ferguson said the community has similar frustrations.

"I think once they get them in jail, they ought to keep them in 
jail," he said. "I mean, they get out too soon, and they get out too easy."

Huntington Police Sgt. J.T. Combs praised some magistrates for 
increasing the bonding amounts, but he said he favors someone setting 
guidelines as to how much money needs to be posted to free certain 
defendants from jail.

"Everyone is entitled to a reasonable bond, but I believe that the 
bond should fit the crime," he said. "Right now, we have got a plague 
in this city of drugs, and I think the bond ought to reflect that."

Many local law enforcement officials agree that defendants are able 
to post higher and higher bonds.

"That lets you know how much money is involved," Combs said. "That's 
just a clue, if they are able to come up with that much money in a 
short period of time. And we are talking cash. There are no credit 
cards or checks. For someone who doesn't have a job, it's pretty 
amazing, isn't it?"

Two drug officers for the Cabell County Sheriff's Department -- Sgt. 
Mike Clark and Deputy Doug Adams -- said they support getting the 
Internal Revenue Service involved their investigations.

"You can't say it's an excessive bail," Adams said. "Not when they 
are walking in and getting out on $10,000 cash.

"There is something wrong there when a crackhead can't afford a $20 
rock, but he walks in with $20,000 cash," Adams added.

Clark would not release specifics, but he said his unit had obtained 
a jail-house letter that states, "Find me a person with property to 
bond me out. I can get him $2,000 ASAP."

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The price of freedom

n Roger Gravely Jr: He got out of jail in one day, after someone 
posted $5,000 cash to satisfy two-$25,000 bonds for his release. He 
was charged with two felony drug trafficking charges. He had been 
arrested previously, and would be arrested again about six months 
later when officers found him with 775 grams of crack cocaine and 
charged him with numerous other violations. He eventually pleaded 
guilty and was sentenced to a federal drug crime.n Alonzo Dixon: The 
Detroit and Charlotte, N.C., native got out of jail in two days after 
someone posted $10,000 cash to satisfy a $100,000 bond for his 
release. He was charged in connection with the delivery of 104 grams 
of crack cocaine to a Cabell County motel March 24. His case was 
later dismissed for cooperation and possible direct presentment to 
the grand jury.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman