FORMER POLICE OFFICER SENTENCED ON DRUG CHARGES

STATESVILLE - A former Salisbury Police officer will not serve prison
time for his part in a conspiracy to distribute ecstasy,
methamphetamine and cocaine.

Gold Hill's Ryan Wagoner, who was 29 at the time of his arrest, was
sentenced Monday in federal court to three years probation.

In February 2005, local agencies working with the U.S Attorney's
Office arrested nine people in connection with a drug ring.

The arrest stemmed from a 2004 probe by the State Bureau of
Investigations.

Wagoner worked with the police department from December 2000 until he
resigned in December 2004.

Three other men, all from Salisbury, were charged and have already
been sentenced: Byron Keith Martin, 36 at the time of his arrest; Todd
Monroe Eller, 30 at the time of his arrest; and Michael Andrew
Flowers, 34 at the time of his arrest.

Also arrested in February 2005 were Darren Jay Taylor, 29, of
Seagrove; Joshua Hurley, 28, of Huntersville; Jason Britt, 26;
Christopher Collin Beach, 33; and Hovanes Aram Blikian, 27, of La
Canada, Calif.

Federal indictments said the men possessed more than 500 grams each of
methamphetamine, cocaine and a mixture of a substance "containing a
detectable amount" of ecstasy in Mecklenburg and Iredell counties
between February 2002 and Jan. 25, 2005.

Investigators reportedly found 985 ecstacy tablets and $10,000 cash
inside Martin's vehicle. A search of his house uncovered 38 doses of
an anabolic steroid and $462.

In mid-October 2005, Wagoner accepted a plea agreement of a $250,000
fine, no more than five years in prison or both.

He received a reduced sentence of probation.

Wagoner is not to commit any other crimes during the length of his
probation. He is to receive six months confinement without electronic
house arrest, even though Wagoner's attorney, Chris Fialko asked for
electronic monitoring. His home confinement is to begin when his
probation officer sets the start date, which must start no later than
a week from Monday. His probation begins Monday and he is to pay $100
in special assessment costs.

During court proceedings, Fialko said Wagoner began making some bad
decisions in 2004, including associating with the wrong type of people.

It was during that time that Wagoner became addicted to pain
medications.

He was prescribed pain medication for a degenerative spinal injury and
carpal tunnel syndrome.

Fialko said with the addiction, Wagoner also became stressed with his
job as a police officer.

Fialko said he wasn't offering excuses but was trying to explain the
events that occurred in Wagoner's life.

Fialko said during court proceedings that Wagoner accepted full
responsibility for his actions.

Since his arrest, Wagoner has been employed, reconnected with his
family and entered a drug-treatment facility, his attorney said.

Character letters were sent to Judge Richard Voorhees from Wagoner's
employer and his biological father, with whom he recently connected.

Wagoner, through tears, briefly addressed the court. He apologized for
his misconduct.

"It hurts my heart for my family and friends to be here," Wagoner
said. He said he'd never before been involved in anything illegal.

"I can assure you I won't come back here," Wagoner said. He asked the
judge for a chance to rebuild his character and make up for the bad
decisions he made.

U.S. Attorney Ed Ryan said because Wagoner was a law enforcement
officer, he was under an even greater need to follow the law.

Following court, Wagoner spoke through his attorney who said his
client would not seek an appeal adding that they thought the judgment
was fair. "We believe he was fairly treated and will work to put this
chapter of his life behind him," Fialko said.