PERRY FIREFIGHTER FACES DRUG COUNTS

Perry: Firefighter Suspended With Pay

PERRY -- A firefighter is accused of selling methamphetamine while on duty.
The Noble County district attorney's office filed drug charges Tuesday
against Larry Wayne Voss, 34, after he was arrested early Saturday.

Police Chief Fred LeValley said officers Friday night discovered after
another drug arrest that Voss might be selling methamphetamine.

According to a court affidavit, a Perry police officer recorded a drug
transaction between Voss and an informant early Saturday in front of the
fire station. Voss was on duty, the affidavit states.

The informant "gave the defendant $120 for about 1.6 grams of a white
powdery substance," the affidavit states. Tests later determined the
substance was methamphetamine.

After Voss was arrested about 3:30 a.m. Saturday, officers found about 0.6
gram of methamphetamine, a hypodermic needle and a spoon in his pockets,
the affidavit states.

Voss told police he sold the drug to the informant because he needed money,
the affidavit states.

Voss is charged with unlawful distribution of a controlled substance within
2,000 feet of a school, possession of a controlled substance and unlawful
possession of drug paraphernalia.

In a written statement, Mayor Leroy Rolling said he was saddened by the
turn of events.

"If the allegations are proven true, it demonstrates the death grip that
methamphetamine has on some of our residents. ... My duty is to ensure that
this type of illegal activity does not occur among Perry employees and
especially among those employees engaged in activities which directly
affect the safety of others," Rolling wrote.

It also states that Voss is suspended with pay until an administrative
investigation is conducted.

The fire chief could not be reached Tuesday for comment.

Rolling also stated that the Board of Aldermen next week would consider
amending the city's substance abuse policy to allow random substance abuse
testing for firefighters and emergency medical personnel.

Voss has been a full-time firefighter for about a year and was a volunteer
firefighter for 13 years, LeValley said.

Voss posted bail Tuesday. If convicted, he could face up to life in prison
and up to $21,000 in fines.