Suspect Called Roanoke Officers His 'Knights In Shining Armor'

INDICTMENT LINKS POLICE WITH DRUGS

The case marks the first drug indictment with explicit ties to Roanoke
police officer Frederick Pledge.

A Roanoke man indicted on drug conspiracy charges called Roanoke police
officers his "knights in shining armor," according to court documents
recently unsealed in federal court.

Robert Tyrone Adams, 29, was indicted with four other men on charges of
conspiring to possess and distribute more than 50 grams of crack cocaine
and more than 5 kilograms of a cocaine powder. The case marks the first
drug indictment with explicit ties to Roanoke police officer Frederick Pledge.

Pledge, 29, was indicted in June on drug conspiracy and racketeering
charges. He is accused of accepting almost $16,000 along with alcohol,
guns, crack cocaine, marijuana and jewelry from drug dealers over the last
six years. Pledge is on paid administrative leave.

Pledge declined to comment on the indictments, and his lawyer - Chris
Kowalczuk - could not be reached for comment.

Adams worked deals with Pledge, according to the indictment.

Adams allegedly paid Pledge off at least three times in 1997 for not
arresting Adams even though he was driving with a suspended license and for
"providing sensitive law enforcement information," according to the
indictment. Adams also allegedly paid two other officers from the Roanoke
City Police Department for the same service and referred to these officers
as his "knights in shining armor."

Two other Roanoke police officers also are on administrative leave pending
results of a Drug Enforcement Administration investigation. The indictment
does not name the officers, however.

Roanoke police Chief Atlas "Joe" Gaskins could not be reached for comment.

Adams was indicted on the conspiracy charge along with three other Roanoke
residents, 34-year-old Roderick "Giz" Perrineau, Christopher "Chuckles"
Hodges, 27, and Rodney Eugene Shell, 26. Adams and Shell were arrested last
week. Adams remains in custody at Roanoke City Jail, and Shell was released
on $15,000 bond. Adams and Shell could not be reached for comment.

DEA agents are still searching for Perrineau and Hodges, said First
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ruth Plagenhoef. She declined to comment further on
the case.

Troy Duane Sergenton, 27, of High Point, N.C., was arrested last week and
awaits extradition.

If convicted, the men face up to 10 years in prison and a possible fine of
up to $400,000 on the conspiracy charge.

The alleged conspiracy began in the late 1980s and involved scores of sales
in Roanoke, according to the indictment. Adams also supplied Perrineau with
guns in exchange for cash and cocaine, the indictment alleges.

Pledge's trial begins March 13.