GRAND JURY HEARS POLICE OFFICER, INMATE IN PROBE OF DRUG TIPS

A Jacksonville police officer and an inmate testified yesterday before a
federal grand jury investigating allegations that police tipped off drug
dealers and were possibly involved in robbery and murder.

Two other officers subpoenaed before the grand jury yesterday didn't
testify. One didn't testify because of time constraints, and the other
appeared and left with an attorney. His lawyer wouldn't comment about why
his client didn't testify.

Since grand jury proceedings are secret, nothing was revealed about
yesterday's proceedings. But court records indicate the probe, which has led
to three police officers being stripped of their police powers, may last
several more months.

Records show three drug dealers cooperating with federal prosecutors in the
case have had their sentencings postponed once again as the probe continues.

The records show that Abdul Robinson, Derrick Smith and Dondricka Bates, who
have agreed to plea bargains on drug charges and were scheduled to be
sentenced next week, have had their sentencing delayed for another 90 days.
Their sentencing was previously postponed so they could work with
prosecutors.

"Defendants are cooperating with the United States, but their cooperation
has not been completed," records said of the most recent delay.

Officer Reginald Bones, who testified yesterday, has worked with two of the
officers stripped of their guns and badges by Sheriff Nat Glover because of
allegations made during the probe.

Glover said he first asked federal authorities about 18 months ago to
investigate what he called a breach of confidence between police and drug
dealers. A federal task force investigating the tipping allegations has
broadened the probe to include possible police involvement in two homicides
and several robberies.

Since the probe began, Officers Aric Sinclair, Karl Waldon and Eric Maddox
have been taken off the street, but no charges have been filed against them.
A few officers, including Waldon and Maddox, have testified before the grand
jury.

Police records show Bones had previously worked with Waldon and Sinclair in
narcotics for about four months. Bones, 33, is now working in patrol. Also
called to testify was Officer Jason Pough, a 33-year-old former narcotics
detective who now teaches in the fifth-grade Drug Abuse Resistance Education
program, and Officer Mario Potts, 36, who works in patrol.

Potts did not testify, and Pough was represented by Jacksonville lawyer Paul
Perez. Perez wouldn't comment yesterday about the case. None of the officers
called to the federal courthouse would comment.

The unidentified inmate arrived at the federal courthouse in shackles and a
green jailhouse jumpsuit. He testified for more than an hour.