FBI: 6 JPD OFFICERS TOOK DRUG PAYOFFS

Three Accused Of Escorting Drug Dealers While On Job

Six Jackson police officers were charged Wednesday with accepting
bribes to protect cocaine trafficking.

Three of them are accused of providing escorts through the city while
in uniform in marked patrol cars to undercover officers they thought
were drug dealers.

A 15-month FBI sting could confirm some Jackson officers' suspicions
that members of their ranks could be bought. FBI complaints outlined
payments of $150 to $500.

The officers are accused of accepting bribes "to allow multi-kilo
shipments of cocaine to pass through the city of Jackson," said FBI
Special Agent in Charge James Kessler Jr.

"There were several occasions when the officers were on duty in
marked patrol cars," Kessler said.

Said U.S. Attorney Brad Pigott: "Nothing is lower than for someone to
take the public's money and badge and then turn over the safety of an
inner city neighborhood to line their own pockets."

Charged are Sgt. Ronald Youngblood, 35; Sgt. Fred Gaddis, 37;
Detective Joe Wade, 47; Detective Stanley Butler, 34; Patrolman Tim
Henderson, 46; and Patrolman Nate Thomas, 41.

Kessler said the investigation was unrelated to a JPD Internal
Affairs probe that led to the April arrest and Sept. 29 conviction of
detective Alvaline Baggett on charges of bribery and conspiracy to
extort money from drug dealers to "fix" cases.

FBI agents on Wednesday accused Gaddis, Henderson and Youngblood of
accepting bribes to provide escorts in their marked Jackson police
patrol cars.

FBI complaints say Gaddis is accused of accepting $500 Feb. 29
involving 5 kilograms of cocaine. Henderson is accused of accepting
$500 June 6 involving 10 kilograms of cocaine. Youngblood is accused
of accepting $300 Nov. 19 involving 2 kilograms of cocaine.

A kilogram is 2.2 pounds. In Mississippi, the wholesale value of a
kilogram of cocaine is $20,000 to $24,000, said Ron Frazier,
assistant director of operations for the Mississippi Bureau of
Narcotics.

Gaddis, Henderson and Youngblood are charged with attempting to
distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine. If
convicted, they face not less than 10 years and up to life in prison.

Butler, Thomas and Wade are accused of accepting money from a
cooperating witness to provide protection for alleged drug dealing.
FBI complaints accuse Butler of getting $200 Feb. 7, Wade of getting
$200 Feb. 8, and Thomas of getting $150 Oct. 12, 1999.

Butler, Thomas and Wade are charged with extorting or attempting to
extort money. If convicted, they could each face up to 20 years.

Kessler said there were indications of collusion by some of the
officers, but not all.

Officials said more charges may be brought.

Pigott said investigators had information that led them to believe
the officers would take money. "No one is approached in an undercover
investigation unless and until there is a pattern or history of
engaging in conduct of that kind."

All were veteran officers. Wade has 23 years; Henderson, 17 years;
Gaddis and Youngblood, 13; Butler and Thomas, 8.

Four officers were arrested Wednesday. Gaddis was detained part of
the day at the Eastland U.S. Courthouse, but an initial appearance
for him was delayed until today. Kessler and Pigott would not say who
else was in custody.

Gaddis' attorney, John Colette, said his client maintains his
innocence. "He wants to be vindicated. He wants to have his day in
court and feels it's a misunderstanding.

"He's going to have to stay in jail tonight," Colette said. "It's a
very traumatic experience."

Colette said he is concerned for Gaddis' safety, and U.S. marshals
share that concern.

"No one likes police officers in jail," Colette said.

The officers were in the Grenada Jail Wednesday, said FBI Assistant
Special Agent in Charge Bob Cromwell. They are expected to appear
before U.S. Magistrate Judge James Sumner today.

Kessler praised cooperation from Jackson Police Chief Bracy Coleman
and Assistant Chief Jim French that allowed the investigation to run
its course.

"Once we identified the first officer, they could have taken the
badge and gun and that would have shut the operation down," Kessler
said.

"This should speak volumes to their commitment to eradicating
corruption in the Jackson Police Department," Kessler said.

Coleman said it was tough to watch and wait. They are on
administrative leave without pay and face possible termination.

"I have no sympathy for officers that use their badge in criminal
activity," Coleman said. "I hope it doesn't shatter the confidence
(in the department) in our community."