PLEA DEALS OF FORMER ZANESVILLE LAWMEN REVEALED

COLUMBUS - Two former officers have agreed to testify against a third
officer who is facing federal drug charges.

Former Zanesville Police Officer Trevor Fusner and Genesis HealthCare
Systems Police Officer Chad Mills have reached plea deals with the
federal government, which will result in at least 10 years in prison
for the pair. The two will testify against former ZPD officer Sean
Beck, who is still facing charges, and any other law enforcement
officials who are engaging in illegal activities, according to the
plea agreement.

The details of the plea agreements were released Thursday. Mills and
Fusner pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute
cocaine and one count of carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.

Both were arrested along with Beck on Oct. 1, 2007, by agents with
the FBI and Muskingum County Sheriff's Office deputies and charged
with one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

Fred Alverson, spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office in
Columbus, said the pair are facing a mandatory five years for the
conspiracy charge and a mandatory sentence of five years for the
weapons charge. The pair could face up to 40 years in prison and each
would be fined $2 million, according to court papers.

They will additionally face up to five years supervised release and
fines for the conspiracy charge, and three years supervised release
and fines for the weapons charge.

A presentence investigation has been ordered although no sentencing
date has been set. The presentence investigation report has been
ordered to be sent to the court by Feb. 25.

Zanesville Police Chief Eric Lambes said it is "the best outcome for everyone."

"This allows the community to move beyond the unfortunate incident,"
Lambes said. "If we're lucky the remaining person, meaning Beck, will
do likewise."

The timeline outlined in the Statement of Facts released by the U.S.
Attorney's Office include:

August 2007: A confidential witness went to the sheriff's office and
the FBI reporting that Beck demanded and received money from the
witness in exchange for Beck not reporting the witness' drug activity.

Aug. 22: The witness, an admitted drug dealer, began to work as an
undercover agent for the agencies and was able to record Beck on
numerous occasions discussing illegal activity.

Aug. 30: Beck contacted the witness to arrange a meeting where a plan
was discussed to set up an illegal drug shipment of a kilo of cocaine
to Zanesville so Beck could steal it.

Sept. 24: The witness told Beck he would have a supplier deliver the
kilo and that Beck had to meet the supplier in Columbus and give him
$2,500 in advance. Beck told the witness he would have Mills drive
the witness to Columbus. Beck then got Mills and Fusner to assist him
in his plan to steal the drugs.

Sept. 25: Mills drove the witness to Columbus to meet with the
supplier. Mills dropped the witness off at a hotel in Columbus and
waited in the car while the witness gave the FBI the money.

Beck, Mills, Fusner and the witness then met at the Mount Calvary
Cemetery where they planned the "raid." Fusner, Mills and Beck were
all armed at the time.

During the meeting, Beck told Fusner to hide behind a tree on the
hillside were he would be able to see the drug transaction and when
the supplier gave the cocaine to the witness, Fusner would signal
Beck and Mills, who were waiting on the road.

Beck would then drive his car into the meeting, block in the
supplier's car and Beck, Fusner and Mills would draw their weapons
and remove the witness and the supplier.

Once the cocaine was seized, Beck would tell the witness and supplier
to leave town.

Beck was indicted on two counts of drug trafficking in Percocet,
three counts of possession of a firearm in the commission of a drug
trafficking crime and one count of conspiracy to traffic drugs. He
remains at the Franklin County Jail until his trial.

Beck has entered not guilty pleas to six federal drug charges and is
scheduled to go to trial next month.