Lawyer Has Challenged Credibility Of Frederick Pledge's Accusers

EX-OFFICER'S JAIL TERM COULD HINGE ON DOCUMENTS

He Was Accused Of Taking Cash, Guns, Alcohol And Drugs From At Least 18
Known Drug Dealers From 1994 Until July Of Last Year

The lawyer for former Roanoke police officer Frederick Pledge, who pleaded
guilty to one count of racketeering in March, is seeking documents about
people who made the allegations against Pledge, most of them convicted drug
dealers.

"The reason we've asked for this information is to challenge the
credibility of these people making accusations against Frederick Pledge,"
said Chris Kowalczuk, Pledge's attorney. U.S. District Judge James Turk
ordered that the individuals come forward with the records, according to an
order filed Tuesday in federal court.

Pledge, a seven-year veteran of the force before his resignation the day he
pleaded guilty, was indicted in July 2000 on racketeering and drug charges.

Pledge was accused of taking cash, guns, alcohol and drugs from at least 18
known drug dealers from 1994 until July of last year. A superseding
indictment in August listed more examples of how law enforcement officials
said Pledge abused his position. Pledge was also originally charged with
drug conspiracy, but that charge was dropped.

Had the case gone to trial, the prosecution would have called several
convicted criminals to testify, according to court documents filed by
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Bondurant.

Pledge was charged with accepting almost $16,000 from drug dealers and
other criminals. He was also accused of taking guns, crack cocaine,
marijuana and jewelry from people he stopped between 1994 and July 2000.

The severity of Pledge's sentence could hinge on whether Turk decides the
acts of racketeering constituted robbery, bribery or extortion. He could
face as many as 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Kowalczuk has
indicated that he plans to challenge the truth of the allegations.

At Kowalczuk's request and at the federal government's expense, Turk
ordered the U.S. Marshals Service to subpoena local law enforcement
officials and Mike Brunette, the station manager from WSLS (Channel 10) to
produce documents in the case before Pledge is sentenced July 27.

Kowalczuk declined to comment on the content of the documents he is seeking.

Kowalczuk indicated at the hearing when Pledge pleaded guilty, however,
that his client disputed some of the 23 specific racketeering acts he was
accused of. As part of Pledge's plea agreement, he will be allowed to
challenge the specific acts.

Among the law enforcement officials from whom Kowalczuk requested subpoenas
for records are Pledge's former boss, Roanoke Police Chief Joe Gaskins ,
and Roa noke Sheriff George McMillan. Kowalczuk also asked for records from
Roanoke's Probation and Parole Office.

Kowalczuk also requested records from several federal law enforcement
officials, from the local offices of the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco and Firearms, the Drug Enforcement Administration and federal
probation records.

Kowalczuk did indicate when Pledge pleaded guilty that had the case gone to
trial, Kowalczuk was planning on presenting evidence that two other former
police officers, Levert Jackson and the late Connie Lee, were involved in
illegal activity.

Jackson is believed to have left the state, and Lee was killed in a
motorcycle accident last year.

Bondurant has also requested the presence of at least two witnesses for the
sentencing, according to court documents. Their names are Javon Day and
Clarence Motley, and both are incarcerated.

Bondurant could not be reached for comment.