DEPUTY MISUSED PILLS, AUTHORITIES SAY

BARTOW - An investigation into a detention deputy's use of
prescription drugs has ensnared eight of her colleagues, plus a major.

Lena J. Reeves, 37, is accused of getting fellow employees to trade
or give her prescription drugs, including Vicodin and hydrocodone,
which she then misused, according to a Polk County Sheriff's Office statement.

Reeves was charged with one count of conspiracy for unlawful
compensation involving official behavior, a third-degree felony.

According to a report released by the agency, Reeves sometimes paid
for the pills and was involved in sexual relationships with some of
her colleagues who provided pills from personal prescriptions.

She admitted to misusing prescription drugs, and was charged in an
incident in which she got a co-worker to leave work to retrieve pills
for her use, according to the statement.

Prosecutors concluded eight of her colleagues each "committed at
least one felony involving drug abuse, conspiracy, solicitation and
or official misconduct," according to a letter from the state
attorney's office.

The incidents span more than seven years, although Reeves said in an
interview with detectives that she had been addicted to pain
medication since shortly after joining the agency in 1990. She told
colleagues she needed the pills for migraines, according to a
detective's report.

None of those people will be charged, Assistant State Attorney Brad
Copley wrote in the letter. Prosecutors said they aren't pursuing
charges because they weren't confident they could prove the
allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.

With the exception of Sgt. Raymond Bryant, those involved have
resigned or retired, according to the sheriff's office. He was
suspended Thursday. The others include detention Deputies Stacy
Garrison and Belinda Yarbrough; administrative secretary Jackie
Lanfair; Sgt. Randy Kremann; Lt. Rickey Grice; Deputy Malcom Kneale;
and Capt. Mark DeComo.

The investigation cleared two others, including Maj. Dale Tray. Tray,
however, will resign Nov. 17, citing his employees' actions as the
reason. Tray oversees the Polk County Jail's Security Division.

He told detectives he knew of Reeves' addiction to prescription drugs
but thought it was "under control," according to a report.

Tray, a 26-year veteran, wrote in his resignation letter that "too
many situations have occurred while I was in command that I was not
aware of but should have been."

Scott Wilder, an agency spokesman, said in a statement that at no
time was jail security threatened by the deputy's actions.

Reeves was released after posting $1,000 bail. She was hired in 1990
and retired Oct. 23.