Pubdate: Mon, 09 Jun 2008
Source: Fayetteville Observer (NC)
Copyright: 2008 Fayetteville Observer
Contact:  http://www.fayobserver.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/150
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/corrupt.htm (Corruption - United States)

MAKING HOPE: SENTENCES AND RAIDS INVITE OPTIMISM IN ROBESON

If law enforcement officials are trying to leave the impression that 
a new day has dawned in Robeson County, they've made a convincing 
start. Six years after Operation Tarnished Badge was launched, the 
federal prosecutor in the case appears to have run out of defendants. 
Twenty-two guilty pleas affecting almost 25 percent of the Sheriff's 
Department were entered, including that of Glenn Maynor, a former 
sheriff. Most defendants have been given long sentences, and the 
trial judge made it clear that Maynor could expect to have at least 
70 percent of the book thrown at him: seven years -- provided no more 
dirt came to light before final sentencing.

The corruption within the department, said U.S. District Judge 
Terrence Boyle, "happened systematically, over decades." It was 
diverse, uninhibited and wide-ranging. One enterprising duo became so 
proficient at shaking down drug suspects on Interstate 95 that they 
formed a company and taught drug agents from other jurisdictions the 
finer points of making stops -- pocketing, in one case, 10 percent of 
the money seized while showing off their expertise in South Carolina.

One of the two, who called this serial lawbreaking a "mistake," 
probably didn't help himself any by showing up for sentencing wearing 
a gold necklace and money clip.

The corruption -- shakedowns, kidnapping, arson, thuggery, fraud -- 
was so in-your-face blatant that much of the county, both public and 
private, is bound to have known about some of it. But what do you say 
to a hood with a badge and a gun, especially if you fear there are 
many more like him roaming your community?

The federal intervention left local law enforcement a lot to overcome 
in terms of credibility. But if last weekend's federal/local raids in 
and around Red Springs and Parkton are any gauge (Cumberland County 
also saw some action), the challenge is being taken up here and 
there. "The Compound," reputed to have been for two decades a center 
for dealing in drugs, guns and stolen property, was the big prize of 
the day. The question of how it thrived with such a reputation for so 
long is not easily dismissed. The most reassuring answer might be 
further cleanups along the lines of the one in which the Red Springs 
Police Department, the Fayetteville Police Department and the Hoke 
and Robeson sheriff's offices participated on May 30. In the 
meantime, Robeson residents can dare to hope that their county 
belongs to them again. Good show.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom