EX-DEPUTY PLEADS GUILTY TO CIVIL RIGHTS CHARGES

TAMPA - A former Manatee County sheriff's deputy pleaded guilty
Tuesday to federal charges related to an ongoing investigation
involving the department's narcotics unit.

Paul Dean Maass,q 26, of Bradenton was charged last month with
conspiracy to violate civil rights, civil rights violations and drug
charges. Prosecutors say Maass admitted that he and other members of
the sheriff's Delta Task Force planted evidence and framed suspects.

Maass pleaded guilty to all counts and could face up to 51 years in
federal prison and $2.5 million in fines. However, he has agreed to
help prosecutors in return for the government recom mending reduced
penalties.

Maass was released on $50,000 bail. No sentencing date has been
set.

Maass joined Delta in 1997 and resigned in 1998 during an internal
investigation. His former supervisor, Wayne V. Wyckoff, was charged
last month with federal civil rights violations and failing to report
a crime. Wyckoff, 37, of Bradenton admitted planting money on a
suspect to bolster a case, prosecutors say.

Wyckoff, who faces up to four years in prison and substantial fines,
also has reached a plea deal. He is scheduled to plead guilty on all
counts next week, court records show.

Wyckoff was transferred from Delta following the internal
investigation and later resigned from the sheriff's office.