30 DRUG CASES GO TO COURT

Many Already Pleaded On State Charges In Cocaine Ring

The 30 people arrested on state charges in a major cocaine bust
earlier this month are scheduled for arraignment today, but most will
not appear in court.

Circuit Judge Jan Shackelford will preside over the 9 a.m.
arraignments at which defendants generally enter not guilty pleas and
are assigned to a trial judge and court date.

But at least 17 of the defendants accused of participating in what
prosecutors call a massive network of drug users and dealers already
have entered written pleas of not guilty and are not required to
appear at the M.C. Blanchard Judicial Building.

Assistant State Attorney John Simon, who is prosecuting the state
defendants, said their next court appearances likely will be "sometime
in the next month or two."

Among those who have entered written pleas of not guilty are: Fisher
Brown insurance executive Thomas Kennedy III, Gulf Breeze Middle
School teacher Pamela Reynolds, state probation officer Theresa
Williams, Cuttin' Loose hair salon owner Deborah Ward and real estate
instructor David Collins.

The suspects who have not filed written pleas are due in court to
answer to charges ranging from simple possession of cocaine to
trafficking in the drug.

The first wave of arrests in the investigation that authorities dubbed
"Operation Sandshaker" began three weeks ago when 11 people were
charged in a federal indictment and 30 more were booked on state drug
charges.

Prosecutors contend that all were part of a circle of people who
frequently pitched in to bring large amounts of cocaine into the area
from South Florida.

Eight federal suspects - including Sandshaker Lounge and Package Store
owner Linda Murphy and her husband, Robert, and alleged drug ring
leader Jackie Seale - have pleaded guilty to charges. Two have
maintained their pleas of not guilty, and the status of another case
is under court-ordered seal.

On Monday, six more people - including area attorneys Kelly McGraw and
Michael Valen - were arrested in connection with the
investigation.

Both are charged with possession of cocaine and criminal conspiracy
and were released on $10,000 bonds shortly after they were taken into
custody.

One of the six suspects, John Steven Hahn, still was being held at
Escambia County Jail late Tuesday in lieu of $20,000 bond.

He originally was booked on a $150,000 bond, but prosecutor Simon and
defense attorney Andrew Marks agreed to the bond reduction prior to
Hahn's video court appearance Tuesday morning before Ecambia County
Judge Pat Kinsey.

Hahn's release also would carry three other conditions, Kinsey
said:

He would not be allowed to leave Escambia County except to work at a
Gulf Breeze Waffle House.

He would not be allowed to associate with co-defendants.

And he would have to maintain employment. Hahn formerly was a
bartender at a lounge that now is closed.

Affidavits detailing the probable cause that investigators had for
Monday's arrests have not been presented to the suspects and are not
yet public record.

Authorities also are pursuing a seventh suspect, who remained at large
Tuesday. Officials have not identified that suspect.

McGraw and Valen could face disciplinary action from the Florida Bar
pending the results of the criminal cases against them.

Bar spokeswoman Francine Walker said the organization that regulates
the legal profession has requested copies of the arrest reports on
McGraw and Valen and likely will open a "monitor file" to determine
what, if any, reprimand they should face.

Generally, she said, "in cases where an attorney is charged with
stealing money from a client or something like that, we usually seek
an emergency suspension. Otherwise, we will let the justice system
take its course."

If McGraw and Valen are convicted, they could face a variety of
penalties, ranging from written admonishment to being disbarred.

For drug convictions in particular, Walker said the organization often
requires attorneys with substance-abuse problems to complete
counseling programs.