SPECIAL PROSECUTOR WILL JOIN INQUIRY INTO DRUG TASK FORCE

Investigation focuses on evidence-room misconduct

Clarksville-A circuit judge says he will appoint a special prosecutor to
look into allegations of misconduct related to the evidence room of the
Fifth Judicial District Drug Task Force.

Circuit Judge John Patterson of Clarksville said he received a request
Wednesday from Prosecutor David Gibbons to step aside from the case because
Gibbons also supervises the drug task force.

"Hopefully the first part of next week I'll be appointing someone,"
Patterson said. "I will try to get someone from outside the Fifth District."

Gibbons, of Clarksville, also has requested the Arkansas State Police to
investigate the evidence room.

In a document requesting the special prosecutor, Gobbons said, "The
integrity of the evidence room of the Fifth Judicial District Drug Task
Force has been compromised. ... It is apparent that there is the potential
for criminal charges to be brought against one member of the drug task
force."

The document filed Wednesday in Pope County Circuit Court did not identify
the "one member."

Task force director Steve Brown has been on administrative leave with pay
for several weeks. Gibbons said earlier this month that it was a personnel
matter and he couldn't comment on why Brown was placed on leave.

But Gibbons said Brown had been injured in a recent traffic accident and was
recuperating.

Brown was the sole full-time investigator for the task force from 1993-1996.
It now has several full-time investigators and a secretary.

Checked-by: Don Beck