LAW'S FAKE DRUGGIE EXPOSED

The Knox County, Tenn., sheriff's department created Frankie Lane Gresham, a
fictional drug runner, as part of an undercover probe.

But the department didn't tell the judge who was attempting to try Gresham,
the public defender appointed to defend him or the office trying to
prosecute him.

"We should never be in a situation where we misrepresent anything to the
court," Knox County District Attorney Randy Nichols said in Knoxville.
"We're supposed to be the good guys."

General Sessions Court Judge Bob McGee canceled the warrant against Gresham
on Tuesday as the 10-week charade came to light. McGee said Wednesday that
he would ask Nichols to investigate.

The warrant naming the fictional Gresham was obtained May 21 by Sheriff's
Deputy Robert Manges. But when Gresham failed to appear in court four times,
the truth came out.

"I'm not mad at them for trying to catch crooks, but we need to know about
these things," Nichols said.