STILL TOO MANY DRUG OFFENDERS MAKING BOND, POLICE SAY

Local magistrates have started setting higher bonds in drug cases,
but police say many of the defendants have proven the higher amounts
are still within their reach.

Many times, that leads to the defendant getting out of jail,
returning to his criminal activity and being arrested all over again
on new charges. Police say it is a frustrating cycle that
unnecessarily places everyone's life at risk. ADVERTISEMENT

Steven Ferguson said the community has similar frustrations.

"I think once they get them in jail, they ought to keep them in
jail," he said. "I mean, they get out too soon, and they get out too easy."

Huntington Police Sgt. J.T. Combs praised some magistrates for
increasing the bonding amounts, but he said he favors someone setting
guidelines as to how much money needs to be posted to free certain
defendants from jail.

"Everyone is entitled to a reasonable bond, but I believe that the
bond should fit the crime," he said. "Right now, we have got a plague
in this city of drugs, and I think the bond ought to reflect that."

Many local law enforcement officials agree that defendants are able
to post higher and higher bonds.

"That lets you know how much money is involved," Combs said. "That's
just a clue, if they are able to come up with that much money in a
short period of time. And we are talking cash. There are no credit
cards or checks. For someone who doesn't have a job, it's pretty
amazing, isn't it?"

Two drug officers for the Cabell County Sheriff's Department -- Sgt.
Mike Clark and Deputy Doug Adams -- said they support getting the
Internal Revenue Service involved their investigations.

"You can't say it's an excessive bail," Adams said. "Not when they
are walking in and getting out on $10,000 cash.

"There is something wrong there when a crackhead can't afford a $20
rock, but he walks in with $20,000 cash," Adams added.

Clark would not release specifics, but he said his unit had obtained
a jail-house letter that states, "Find me a person with property to
bond me out. I can get him $2,000 ASAP."

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The price of freedom

n Roger Gravely Jr: He got out of jail in one day, after someone
posted $5,000 cash to satisfy two-$25,000 bonds for his release. He
was charged with two felony drug trafficking charges. He had been
arrested previously, and would be arrested again about six months
later when officers found him with 775 grams of crack cocaine and
charged him with numerous other violations. He eventually pleaded
guilty and was sentenced to a federal drug crime.n Alonzo Dixon: The
Detroit and Charlotte, N.C., native got out of jail in two days after
someone posted $10,000 cash to satisfy a $100,000 bond for his
release. He was charged in connection with the delivery of 104 grams
of crack cocaine to a Cabell County motel March 24. His case was
later dismissed for cooperation and possible direct presentment to
the grand jury.