METRO OFFICER CHARGED WITH DRUG ROBBERY

2nd Person In Conspiracy, Federal Indictment Says

A Metro Police officer was charged with drug trafficking and robbery
yesterday after a federal grand jury named him in a four-count
indictment stemming from an ongoing conspiracy investigation.

Officer Charles R. Williams III is accused of robbing someone of more
than 500 grams of a substance containing cocaine while threatening
the victim with his police-issued service weapon. Williams, according
to the indictment, handcuffed the victim during the robbery.

It was an investigation by members of Williams' own department that
initially led to the federal indictment. The police later went to the
federal Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Attorney's
office for help.

Federal prosecutors and Metro police refused to disclose many details
of the case, and it wasn't clear last night whether any other
officers are under investigation. The indictment accuses Williams of
conspiring with someone to take the drugs.

"Because this case involves matters that remain under active
investigation by our department and the federal government, I am
unable to discuss any of the details surrounding Williams'
indictment," Metro Police Chief Ronal Serpas said in a statement.

"Obviously, I am very disturbed by Williams' alleged betrayal of the
public's trust, but this case should in no way detract from the
tremendous work being done by our more than 1,200 police officers every day."

Williams, 37, was investigating gangs for the police on April 30,
2003, the day he is accused of stealing the drugs.

An informant tipped off narcotics officers in the Specialized
Investigations Division more than a year ago, Metro police said.

Police stripped Williams of his gun and badge and placed him on desk
duty as a result of a preliminary investigation.

After he was indicted, he was placed on immediate administrative leave.

Williams is a 15-year police department veteran. He has never been
investigated by the department's Office of Professional
Accountability, which deals with complaints on the misconduct of officers.