FORMER SCHOOL GUARD SENTENCED TO TALK TO KIDS ABOUT DRUG DEALING

A former Knox County Schools security officer who admitted being a
drug dealer will have to tell middle school students about his
experience as part of a sentence handed down Wednesday by a federal
judge. U.S. District Judge Leon Jordan sentenced Jamal Kabaar Badgett,
29, to nine years and nine months in prison, three years of supervised
release and 200 hours of community service for his drug and gun offenses.

"I want that service to be going and telling these young people at
middle schools what you got for your drug dealing," the judge said.

Badgett, who is Knox County Commissioner Diane Jordan's stepson,
worked as a security guard for two years at Northwest Middle School
until his resignation April 5, 2000.

While one of Badgett's lawyers has previously said no allegations have
been raised that Badgett distributed drugs to students, Assistant U.S.
Attorney Mary Aubry said she could neither confirm nor deny that there
were allegations that he sold drugs to students at Northwest Middle.

Aubry argued for a higher sentence for Badgett during the hearing,
saying Badgett sold drugs to people under the age of 18.

But defense attorney Kim Tollison said that fact had already been
taken into consideration under sentencing guidelines. The lowest
possible sentence, which Leon Jordan imposed, was already a sufficient
punishment, Tollison argued.

Jordan (no relation to the commissioner) said he considered letters
from Dwayne Simmons, the principal at Northwest Middle, assistant
principals Sharon Robinson, Robert Berry and Cheryl Gann and an
investigator for Knox County Schools Security, Rodney G. Beverly, when
making his decision.

"They all speak highly of you," he said. "What a terrible thing to
have the potential you had and end up going into a federal
penitentiary for 10 years. Don't you think you ought to do something
for the community to let others know how you've ruined your life?"

The letters, three of which are on Northwest Middle letterhead,
discuss the good work Badgett performed for the school while employed
there.

"The Knox County Schools System does not condone the sale or use of
illegal drugs, and this behavior (selling or using drugs) is
inconsistent with the high standards to which we hold our employees,"
Superintendent Charles Lindsey wrote in a statement after being asked
for comment about the letters.

"Employees of the school system, however, have the right to publicly
express their personal opinions."

Beverly urged Jordan to not send Badgett to prison, even though he
said he didn't condone his actions.

Beverly wrote that he believes Badgett knows "the serious mistake he
has made in dealing with drugs" and regrets "every moment of that
incident." "Jamal was very dependable and trustworthy while working at
Northwest," Simmons wrote. "He had a very good working relationship
with staff and teachers, and earned their respect with his dedication
to help improve the behavior of our student population."

Badgett told Jordan he has learned a lesson from his arrest and
indictment.

"I plan to become a better man than what I am today for my community
and my family," he said.

He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess and distribute marijuana
between November 1999 and April 5, 2000, and carrying a .40-caliber
semiautomatic pistol during a drug-trafficking crime.

The details of his pleas are under seal.