COLONEL PLEADS GUILTY IN DRUG CASE

NEW YORK (AP) -- An Army colonel who once commanded the military's anti-drug
operation in Colombia pleaded guilty to a federal charge Monday, admitting
that he knew his wife was laundering drug money but failed to turn her in.

James Hiett, 48, entered the plea as his wife, Laurie Hiett, sank her face
into her hands and sobbed from a bench in the first row of the courtroom.

He faces up to three years in prison and $250,000 in fines when he is
sentenced June 23. Federal sentencing guidelines call for him to spend
between one year and one and a half years in prison.

Hiett said that in April and May 1999, his wife traveled from Bogota,
Colombia to New York City twice and returned home with more than $25,000 in
cash.

In early June 1999, he said he was told by Army investigators that his wife
had been sending narcotics from Colombia to New York City.

``Prior to that time I did not know my wife was involved in narcotics
trafficking,'' he said. ``I then knew that the cash my wife had previously
given me came from drug trafficking.''

In June and July, after he knew of his wife's drug activities, he tried to
get rid of the money and failed to tell law enforcement authorities about
the cash.

``I then took the steps to dissipate this cash by paying as many bills as
possible in cash and depositing the rest of the cash in our bank accounts,''
he said.

In January, Laurie Hiett pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy charges,
admitting she shipped packages containing $700,000 worth of drugs to New
York City.

After his plea, Hiett hugged his wife and left the courthouse holding her
hand.

The couple paused to allow their picture to be taken and were asked how
their marriage was holding up. ``Great,'' Laurie Hiett responded.

Hiett, a 24-year Army veteran, remains on active duty at Fort Monroe, in
Hampton, Va., where he was transferred after his wife was accused of a
crime.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee G. Dunst said Hiett has filed for retirement
from the Army.

Earlier, the Army Criminal Investigation Division in Panama had cleared
Hiett, saying he had ``no prior knowledge'' of his wife's crimes.