``OFFICER OF THE YEAR'' FACING DRUG CHARGES

TAMPA, Fla. - The FBI has arrested a Lakeland police
officer on charges of possessing and dealing cocaine over the past two
years.

31-year-old William Alonzo Banks Jr. - who was once named the Lakeland
Police Department's officer of the year - faces up to 40 years in
prison if convicted.

Federal agents say they arrested Banks after speaking with four
confidential informants and recording several of the officer's
conversations.

The agents say they found envelopes of the type used to package drugs
in Banks' squad car and a straw with cocaine residue in his personal
vehicle.

Banks reportedly has admitted that he began buying and selling cocaine
in 1997 because he was having financial troubles.

Banks has been released on $50,000 bail and suspended from his job
with pay.