EX-OFFICER SENTENCED TO 14 YEARS

A former Metro police officer who pleaded guilty to conspiring to sell more
than 2,200 pounds of marijuana was sentenced yesterday to 14 years in a
federal prison, the U.S. attorney's office announced.

U.S. District Court Judge Aleta Trauger sentenced Chris Walden, 33, who had
earlier pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute more than 1,000
kilograms of marijuana, possession with intent to distribute 100 kilograms
(220 pounds) or more of marijuana, and conspiracy to distribute five
kilograms (11 pounds) or more of cocaine.

The U.S. attorney's office said the activity took place from November 2000
through December 2001, when Walden was a Metro police officer.

Walden, who was a bicycle patrolman in the John Henry Hale public housing
complex, was arrested after trying to buy 600 pounds of marijuana from an
FBI agent on Dec. 12, the U.S. attorney's office said.

After the arrest, Walden led authorities to Joseph Elder, who was then a
canine officer with the Lebanon Police Department.

Elder was arrested at the Lebanon Police Department without incident, the
U.S. attorney's office said.

Investigators said that the two officers were selling marijuana and cocaine.

Walden also worked with Eduardo Guerrero, who was connected to a large
Mexican drug operation, to get marijuana and cocaine shipments through
Nashville, the U.S. attorney's office said. Walden would get the drugs from
Guerrero and distribute them to Elder, it said.

Elder will be sentenced on July 9 by Trauger.