SHERIFF CHARGED WITH SELLING DRUGS

Roanoke, Va. - A sheriff and 12 current and former officers in a
hard-luck rural county that once billed itself the "Sweatshirt
Capital of the World" were charged yesterday in a scheme to resell
drugs seized from criminals.

A former postal worker, a former probation officer and five other
people also were indicted by federal prosecutors. The charges
included racketeering conspiracy, weapons charges, narcotics
distribution, obstruction of justice and perjury.

H. Franklin Cassell, 68 - the sheriff of Henry County, a former
textile hub about 50 miles south of Roanoke - was quoted by
investigators as saying that the only way to acquire wealth is to be
"a little crooked and not get caught." Cassell has been sheriff since
1992.