Pubdate: Wed, 27 May 2009 Source: Augusta Chronicle, The (GA) Copyright: 2009 The Augusta Chronicle Contact: http://chronicle.augusta.com/talk/letters/ Website: http://chronicle.augusta.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/31 Note: from the Associated Press EX-SC COP GETS 20 YEARS IN DRUG TRAFFICKING CASE FLORENCE, S.C. -- A former South Carolina police officer has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for drug trafficking and extortion. U.S. Attorney Walt Wilkins said former Lake City Sgt. Shanita McKnight was sentenced in federal court Wednesday. Prosecutors said McKnight was part of a drug ring in Lake City and used her position as a police officer to make people pay her. They also said McKnight tipped off drug dealers on when investigators would be in town. McKnight was convicted in October after a five-day trial. A man serving time on drug charges testified that the officer let him smoke marijuana in and drive her patrol car. McKnight had faced a possible sentence of life in prison and up to $8 million in fines. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D