DRUG CHARGES REDUCED AGAINST MILLIONAIRE

Three Face Upgraded State Charges In Case

State drug charges against millionaire businessman Charles Switzer were
downgraded Thursday, while charges against three other suspects in a
cocaine ring were upgraded.

Switzer, 54, was arrested last month on a charge of trafficking in cocaine.
But on Thursday, prosecutors filed two lesser charges of possession of
cocaine and one charge of conspiracy with intent to possess cocaine.

Assistant State Attorney John Simon said prosecutors reduced the charges
after reviewing the evidence.

"We needed to look at some more things in the evidence before we decided
what charges to file," Simon said.

Switzer, a retired Lamar Advertising executive who sits on the Pensacola
Junior College Foundation's board of governors, entered a written plea of
not guilty. His attorney, Barry Beroset, appeared in court on his behalf.

All the charges against Switzer are third-degree felonies, punishable by as
much as five years in prison for each count. He was assigned a Feb. 25
court date.

Meanwhile, state charges against three other suspects were stepped up to
trafficking in cocaine. They are: suspended Gulf Breeze Middle School
teacher Pamela Reynolds, 52; real estate seminar instructor David Collins,
55; and John Todd Pallin, 40, a boat captain for prominent attorney Fred Levin.

The three, also arrested in early December, initially were taken in on
cocaine possession charges. Simon said that largely was because of a
clerical glitch and that the trafficking charges have been anticipated
since their arrests.

"Operation Sandshaker," a sweeping three-year investigation into the
cocaine trade in the Pensacola area, has snared 52 suspects to date. The
investigation is continuing.

Eleven people, who investigators believe were most instrumental in bringing
cocaine in from South Florida and distributing it, have been indicted in
federal court, and at least eight have pleaded guilty.

Another suspect who initially pleaded not guilty in federal court is
expected to reverse her plea today.

Bonnie Burleson-Mowrey, 39, is scheduled to enter a plea at 8:15 a.m.
before U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson.

The eight who already have pleaded guilty include Sandshaker Lounge and
Package Store owner Linda Murphy, her husband, Robert, and alleged drug
ringleader Mitchell "Jackie" Seale.

Scheduled for sentencing in late February and early March, they face terms
of 10 years to life in prison.

The plea of another federal suspect - Denise Winkler - is under court-
ordered seal. The final federal suspect, Pensacola Beach home builder Scott
Carstens, has maintained his not guilty plea.

The 41 people who investigators believe were less involved in the cocaine
ring are being prosecuted in state court on an array of drug- related charges.

All who have appeared in state court have pleaded not guilty.

Six suspects taken into custody during a second wave of arrests last week,
including attorneys Kelly McGraw and Michael Valen, are scheduled for
arraignment Jan. 22.

Next Thursday, suspects Michael O'Quinn and Dana Powell are to be arraigned
before Circuit Judge Terry Terrell.

Simon said the State Attorney's Office is still "working out how to handle"
Powell's case.

The downtown psychotherapist already has pleaded guilty to federal charges,
and it is not yet clear whether the state will go forward with charges of
possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance.