PIKE DEPUTY PUT ON PROBATION

The former chief deputy of the Pike County sheriff's office will serve six
months of unsupervised probation for allegedly mishandling drug evidence
involving the son of the County Council president. William Walker pleaded
guilty to official misconduct, a misdemeanor, in a Daviess County court,
where the case was venued. Walker, chief deputy during the leadership of
beleaguered former Sheriff Jeff Clements, also will pay a $500 fine plus
court costs, said current Sheriff Todd Meadors.

Walker also could face disciplinary action from the Sheriff Merit
Commission. Meadors said he will bring the issue before the commission at
its Nov. 13 meeting.

"If he had been charged with a felony, he would have been automatically
dismissed, because he couldn't carry a firearm," Meadors explained.

Walker was charged shortly before Clements was charged with rape and later
resigned. Clements will go to trial next month.

Walker came under investigation for allegedly responding to a call at the
home of Pam and Warren Craig in rural Pike County on April 3.

Pam Craig told police Walker arrived to help resolve a dispute she was
having with her husband, Warren - who is the son of Pike County Council
President Roger Craig.

Pam Craig told police Walker threatened to have her children taken away
because of the dispute, at which time she told Walker her husband had
marijuana plants in their trailer and outside their home. Walker allegedly
told Warren Craig to destroy the plants, and trusted him to do so.

Craig was later arrested because of the incident, but not on drug charges,
Meadors said.

"He's still saying he didn't do anything wrong," Meadors said of Walker.
"He's not admitting guilt, but he said instead of drawing this out, he
wanted some closure and to get it over with."

A prosecutor from Daviess County could not be reached.