Pubdate: Wed, 29 Aug 2007
Source: Quad-City Times (IA)
Copyright: 2007 Quad-City Times
Contact:  http://www.qctimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/857
Author: Kurt Allemeier
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

TAPE SHOWS FORMER WILTON MAYOR TELLING AGENTS ABOUT DRUG OPERATION

Wilton Mayor Richard Summy balked at making a phone call to set up a 
marijuana supplier and asked for a lawyer during an interview with 
law enforcement officers shortly before his arrest last September.

A video recording of the Sept. 25, 2006, interview was played 
Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Davenport, where Summy is on 
trial for conspiracy to manufacture and distribute a controlled 
substance and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Summy, Wilton's mayor of two years, was arrested three days later in 
Coralville, Iowa, where he was attending an Iowa League of Cities 
conference. The case is expected to go to the jury today after 
defense testimony.

In the recorded interview with agents from the Iowa Division of 
Narcotics Enforcement before and after a Wilton City Council meeting, 
Summy said he wanted to be cooperative and was worried about his job. 
He also told the agents he didn't smoke marijuana.

"I know I did something wrong," he said. "I want to help myself out."

He described to agents how he picked up the marijuana, in one-pound 
increments at a park in Keokuk, Iowa. His contact, who he later 
identified as Randy Anderson of Keokuk, left the marijuana shortly 
before the pickup. In return, Summy said, he would leave the money -- 
$2,500 per pound -- and let Anderson know he could get it.

Summy sold the marijuana later to another person who turned out to be 
a confidential informant for police.

Summy was evasive at times about how Anderson first contacted him 
about selling marijuana, saying they were old friends and Anderson 
called him out of the blue after Anderson and another man, Roger 
Houston of Keokuk, started their marijuana-growing operation in late 
2001 in Keokuk.

Summy told the agents he bought six to 10 pounds of marijuana from 
Anderson and Houston. Houston testified Wednesday that they supplied 
Summy with 40 pounds of marijuana between 2002 and 2006.

When he returned to meet with agents after the council meeting, they 
had executed a search warrant on his house. Agents found a file of 
notes compiled by Summy's wife, who was concerned he was having an 
affair. In the file were what one agent described as "possible drug notes."

After being pressed by agents to help them and set up a call to 
Anderson, Summy balked, finally telling agents he needed legal advice.

"If I'm in this much trouble, I think I need to talk to an attorney," he said.

Houston and Anderson also testified Wednesday. Houston described the 
indoor marijuana-growing operation he and Anderson shared, from the 
special fertilizer and lights to tips on light wattage from "High 
Times" magazine.

Houston testified that Anderson recommended Summy as someone to sell 
their marijuana. They were looking for someone who was trustworthy 
and discrete. They didn't want to sell the marijuana in the Keokuk area.

Houston, who was indicted with Summy, pleaded guilty in May to 
conspiracy to manufacture and distribute marijuana. A sentencing 
hearing hasn't been scheduled.

(Jennifer Meyer of the Muscatine Journal contributed to this report.)
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman