DA'S OFFICE TO PROSECUTE LAWYER ACCUSED OF DRUG OFFENSE

The Knox County District Attorney General's Office doesn't plan on
withdrawing from the case of a lawyer accused of trying to smuggle cocaine
into the maximum-security jail facility at the City County Building.
"There's no reason to withdraw ourselves," said Assistant District Attorney
General Leon Franks. "I don't know of any reason at this point to believe
we may have a conflict of interest."

He added: "We've prosecuted other lawyers in town without any problem."

Keith Eric Haas, a 34-year-old lawyer from Sevierville, was charged Aug. 30
with possession of more than a half-gram of cocaine for distribution or resale.

Knox County Sheriff Tim Hutchison said Haas was accepting cash payments to
deliver cocaine to a jailed client. Hutchison also said the investigation
is ongoing and other people may be involved.

Haas was taken into custody near a restaurant on Cumberland Avenue after
receiving an ounce of cocaine from an undercover Sheriff's Department
deputy at a downtown eatery, according to the arrest warrant.

Franks said he couldn't discuss specific facts of the case against Haas due
to ethical considerations.

Also, he said, the district attorney's office hasn't had a chance to review
the case file assembled by the investigating agency, the Knox County
Sheriff's Department.

"They didn't notify us of the investigation (beforehand)," he said.

Franks also said he doesn't believe the case will be sent to the U.S.
Department of Justice for prosecution. Generally, drug offenders face
stiffer penalties if they are convicted in federal court, such as mandatory
minimum prison sentences and no parole eligibility.

Because the cocaine that Haas allegedly possessed was in powder form and it
doesn't appear that a firearm was used in the commission of a drug
trafficking crime, it is unlikely that federal prosecution is warranted,
Franks explained.

Haas' attorney, Bob Ritchie, said he is investigating the incident on
behalf of his client and was unable to comment.

Haas is scheduled to appear in Knox County General Sessions Court for an
arraignment on Sept. 17.