EX-SHERIFF'S DEPUTY FACES FELONY DRUG CHARGE IN KING

A Davidson County sheriff's deputy has been fired following her
arrest on a felony drug charge in Stokes County.

Maureen Cleary Williams, 37, was arrested July 10 by an officer with
the King Police Department and charged with obtaining a controlled
substance by forgery or fraud. According to police records, Williams
attempted to forge a prescription for a controlled substance at an
Eckerd drug store. The incident occurred June 27 in King. Records do
not show what controlled substance Williams is charged with trying to
obtain.

Williams was fired the day after her arrest - June 11 - from her job
as a deputy at the Davidson County Sheriff's Office, said county Human
Resources Director Keli Greer. She had worked for the county since
Oct. 26, 1997.

Davidson County Sheriff Gerald Hege said he did not know much about
the incident and referred questions to Capt. Jody Shoaf, who is in
charge of personnel matters at the sheriff's office. Shoaf was not
available for comment.

But Hege did say he knew Williams has suffered from health problems
and had been out of work for several months.

"She's had several operations," he said. "... I really don't know a
whole lot about (her condition)."

Williams' address is listed as Mount Olive Road in King, according to
arrest reports. Her local address was not available.

Following her arrest, Williams was released from custody on a written
promise to appear. She is scheduled to appear on Aug. 25 in Danbury
District Court.