JUVENILE PROBATION OFFICIAL ARRESTED ON DRUG, DUI CHARGES

Sangamon County's deputy director of juvenile probation was placed on
unpaid leave Friday, just hours after he was arrested on charges of cocaine
and marijuana possession when he was found asleep at the wheel of his car.

Carlus D. Gully, 49, of Marchelle Avenue also was charged with driving
under the influence.

Gary Dodge, Sangamon County court administrator, said that those who work
with Gully, a 26-year employee of the county, were shocked to hear of his
arrest.

"His work ethic and the work he's done has been completely admirable in the
eight years I've known him. We are astounded by the events of the past 24
hours," Dodge said. "We're going to have to do what we're going to have to
do that's in the best interest of the court and the juvenile probation
department."

Springfield police arrested Gully about 1:10 a.m. in the 200 block of South
Durkin Drive after someone called to report a driver slumped over the wheel
of a vehicle.

When officers arrived, they reported finding Gully's 1994 Cadillac parked
with the engine running in the traffic lane. Gully was deemed to be
possibly intoxicated and arrested.

During a search of his clothing, police allegedly found a marijuana
cigarette and a small package of powdered cocaine.

Officers then searched Gully's vehicle, allegedly finding a second small
bag of powder cocaine. After Gully was taken to jail, the officer who drove
him there checked the back seat of the police car and discovered a third
bag of cocaine, police said.

Gully started his employment with the county Oct. 1, 1974. He worked as a
detention counselor until 1979, when he took a job at the Human Rights
Commission for a year.

In 1980, Gully was appointed director of the Sangamon County juvenile
detention center. Five years later, he became director of field services
for the probation department, and, last July, was appointed deputy director
of the department.

He's been in charge since July of the day-to-day operation of things
because (John) Vargas is busy with the new juvenile center and other
matters," Dodge said, referring to the facility completed last year on
South Dirksen Parkway.

We've got no choice but to put him on a leave of absence given the
seriousness of these charges." Gully posted his $5,000 bond and was
released from the Sangamon County Jail Friday. His first court appearance
will be May 23.

Three years ago, Vernon Watson, director of the juvenile detention center,
committed suicide after being charged several months earlier with
embezzling funds from the county. His death by apparent carbon monoxide
poisoning two weeks before his trial left unproven allegations that he had
illegally bought some $106,000 in goods and services using taxpayer money.