EX-COP'S PAINKILLER PENALTY IS PROBATION

Sentence includes fine, service hours

A former Harahan police officer was placed on three years' probation and
fined $1,000 Wednesday for illegal possession of prescription painkillers.

Wiley Wood IV of Metairie pleaded guilty in January to misdemeanor
possession of hydrocodone after he allegedly obtained more than 2,000 of the
pills through fraudulent prescriptions while working as a police officer.

Wood's attorney has said the six-year Police Department veteran was using
the pills to treat a back injury. Prosecutors said they had no evidence Wood
abused his authority as a police officer during the five-month period in
2003 when he obtained the pills, or that he was selling the drugs.

Wood resigned from the department Nov. 10.

He was sentenced Wednesday by Magistrate Judge Daniel Knowles III.

A statement from acting U.S. Attorney Jim Letten's office said special
conditions of Wood's probation include requirements that he undergo drug
testing and serve 100 hours of community service. He also is forbidden to
possess a gun.

The maximum penalty for the charge is a year in prison and a $100,000 fine.