Another of our local "heroes" in uniform (LEO)
Chattanooga sheriff arrested on extortion, money laundering charges
By Bill Poovey
Associated Press
Saturday, February 2, 2008
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Federal officers arrested Hamilton County Sheriff Billy Long, a career lawman, on charges of extorting money from ethnic Indian store owners and laundering what he believed was drug money sent to Mexico in cremation urns.
Long, 55, sat handcuffed before a federal judge who ordered him detained Saturday after Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Humble described the sheriff as a "danger to the community."
Long, who was elected after 31 years of service, was also charged during an undercover investigation that involved FBI audio and video recordings with providing a firearm to someone he was told was a convicted felon. An FBI agent's affidavit said the sheriff gave the gun to a cooperating witness and said if he shot someone he should "get rid of it."
Long, wearing a denim vest and pants and boots with pointed toes at the hearing, told U.S. Magistrate Bill Mitchell that he would hire a lawyer before a Monday afternoon detention hearing.
U.S. Attorney James R. Dedrick said in a statement that Long, a Democrat elected in 2006, was arrested Saturday morning following an investigation that started in April 2007.
"Law enforcement corruption cannot be tolerated and must be dealt with quickly and professionally," Dedrick said in the statement.
Dedrick said no other law enforcement officer was a suspect in the investigation, which he said is ongoing and could lead to additional charges. Dedrick declined to say if anyone outside of law enforcement is a suspect.
Longtime chief deputy Allen Branum, 53, was placed in charge of the sheriff's department that has about 400 employees, including about 150 law enforcement officers. Hamilton County Mayor Claude Ramsey, who attended the arrest announcement, said he wanted to reassure the public they could expect top law enforcement service while the investigation continues.
The affidavit shows that beginning in April 2007 and continuing through mid-December the sheriff accepted 12 payments totaling $17,400, "representing what he was told were payments from ethnic Indian store owners to protect their video poker business and other illegal activity."
That activity included selling ingredients used to make methamphetamine.
The affidavit said Long promised the store owners to inform them when he became aware of any investigation focused on their involvement in illegal activities.
Then the FBI "introduced the sheriff to what he believed was a money laundering and drug trafficking operation," the affidavit said.
The affidavit said Long also accepted five cash payments totaling $6,550. Those payments represented "his payoff to a cooperating witness supposedly laundering $625,000 in drug trafficking proceeds."
Long was given $1,000 by the confidential informant, money provided by the FBI, and told that drug trafficking money "would be hidden in the cremation urns to a funeral home in Mexico."
By Bill Poovey
Associated Press
Saturday, February 2, 2008
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Federal officers arrested Hamilton County Sheriff Billy Long, a career lawman, on charges of extorting money from ethnic Indian store owners and laundering what he believed was drug money sent to Mexico in cremation urns.
Long, 55, sat handcuffed before a federal judge who ordered him detained Saturday after Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Humble described the sheriff as a "danger to the community."
Long, who was elected after 31 years of service, was also charged during an undercover investigation that involved FBI audio and video recordings with providing a firearm to someone he was told was a convicted felon. An FBI agent's affidavit said the sheriff gave the gun to a cooperating witness and said if he shot someone he should "get rid of it."
Long, wearing a denim vest and pants and boots with pointed toes at the hearing, told U.S. Magistrate Bill Mitchell that he would hire a lawyer before a Monday afternoon detention hearing.
U.S. Attorney James R. Dedrick said in a statement that Long, a Democrat elected in 2006, was arrested Saturday morning following an investigation that started in April 2007.
"Law enforcement corruption cannot be tolerated and must be dealt with quickly and professionally," Dedrick said in the statement.
Dedrick said no other law enforcement officer was a suspect in the investigation, which he said is ongoing and could lead to additional charges. Dedrick declined to say if anyone outside of law enforcement is a suspect.
Longtime chief deputy Allen Branum, 53, was placed in charge of the sheriff's department that has about 400 employees, including about 150 law enforcement officers. Hamilton County Mayor Claude Ramsey, who attended the arrest announcement, said he wanted to reassure the public they could expect top law enforcement service while the investigation continues.
The affidavit shows that beginning in April 2007 and continuing through mid-December the sheriff accepted 12 payments totaling $17,400, "representing what he was told were payments from ethnic Indian store owners to protect their video poker business and other illegal activity."
That activity included selling ingredients used to make methamphetamine.
The affidavit said Long promised the store owners to inform them when he became aware of any investigation focused on their involvement in illegal activities.
Then the FBI "introduced the sheriff to what he believed was a money laundering and drug trafficking operation," the affidavit said.
The affidavit said Long also accepted five cash payments totaling $6,550. Those payments represented "his payoff to a cooperating witness supposedly laundering $625,000 in drug trafficking proceeds."
Long was given $1,000 by the confidential informant, money provided by the FBI, and told that drug trafficking money "would be hidden in the cremation urns to a funeral home in Mexico."
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Then the FBI "introduced the sheriff to what he believed was a money laundering and drug trafficking operation," the affidavit said.
The affidavit said Long also accepted five cash payments totaling $6,550. Those payments represented "his payoff to a cooperating witness supposedly laundering $625,000 in drug trafficking proceeds."
Long was given $1,000 by the confidential informant, money provided by the FBI, and told that drug trafficking money "would be hidden in the cremation urns to a funeral home in Mexico."
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This is an excellent use for the FBI, in my opinion.0 -
Every profession has its share of bad apples. 0
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