EX-DRUG TASK FORCE CHIEF PLEADS GUILTY

The former head of the Lauderdale County Drug Task Force pleaded guilty
Tuesday to extortion, lying to the FBI and misappropriating funds in his
work as task force director.

David Lynn Scogin, 44, of Florence has also agreed to pay $20,000 in
restitution. U.S. District Judge Robert B. Propst will sentence him Dec. 16.

Scogin was originally charged in a 10-count indictment last July. But on
Tuesday, he agreed to plead guilty to three counts.

According to the indictment, Scogin extorted $5,000 from an individual in
April 2002 by forcing the person to give the drug task force the money to
avoid an arrest.

Scogin also used money intended for the drug task force and when the FBI
investigated the drug task force in March 2003 he gave a false statement.

Scogin, who was an employee of the Lauderdale County district attorney's
office and assigned as head task force officer in 1999, was forced to
resign in March 2003.

Defense attorney George Andrews said the case remains pending and it would
be inappropriate for him to comment.

U.S. Attorney Alice Martin said in a release that the conviction is a
victory for the citizens of Lauderdale County and the state. She said her
office continues to investigate allegations of corruption associated with
the drug task force.