EIGHT PLEAD NOT GUILTY TO MARIJUANA CHARGES

Before a federal magistrate judge in Valdosta, eight of the nine who were
originally named in an indictment along with Sheriff Carlton Evans, plead
not guilty Wednesday to charges that they grew in excess of 1000 marijuana
plants with intent to sell it. Richard Davis, who was originally named in
the indictment, was not arraigned Wednesday, but a spokeswoman from the
U.S. Attorney's office says he will be arraigned soon.

"According to his attorney, he's in the hospital," said Pamela Lightsey, a
spokeswoman from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Macon.

After an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate James E. Graham, earlier
in the month, those nine were released on $25,000 bond. However, Sage Evans
was taken into custody last Thursday on a warrant that accused him of
roughing up two television camera operators on the day his brother --
Sheriff Carlton Evans -- killed himself. This warrant broke the conditions
of Sage Evans bond, which stated that she should break no laws.

Lightsey told reporters that Sage Evans surrendered Thursday morning after
the warrant was issued.

Sage Evans was accused of committing simple battery and criminal damage
against to television camera operators from Savannah television station
WSAV.

Among the seven others who were charged along with Sage Evans Wednesday
were Jerry "Pool" Powell, Benjamin Hodge, Dewey Wayne Harper, Lewis Gary
Harper, Keith Allen Spivey, Brian Clifton Fussell, and Dennis Franklin
Griffin.

The first count of the indictment alleges that all 10 defendants, including
Sheriff Carlton Evans, conspired with each other to manufacture with intent
to distribute. However the second count of the indictment alleges that only
seven of the defendants did possess marijuana with intent to distribute it.
Carlton Evans, Sage Evans, Benjamin Hodge, Dewey Wayne Harper, Lewis Gary
Harper, Dennis Franklin Griffin, and Richard Davis were the seven alleged
to have possessed marijuana.

Count three of the indictment states that if convicted, all ten defendants
should forfeit all property or funds earned in connection with count one or
two. Lightsey said Wednesday that her office was unsure of a trial date.