TROOPER REASSIGNED AFTER PERJURY INDICTMENT

WHEELER - Department of Public Safety Trooper Chad Estes, who was indicted
earlier this month on perjury charges, has been reassigned to desk duties,
DPS spokeswoman Tela Mange said.

"He's doing administrative work and not out on patrol until things are
settled," Mange said.

Estes was indicted on July 13 in connection with his testimony in the March
trial of Robert Curtis Tillman in Wheeler.

District Attorney John Mann said the grand jury believed Estes lied in his
trial testimony when he said he found marijuana in a fanny pack on Tillman.

No such marijuana was logged into evidence, Mann said.

"He was trying to establish an affirmative link between the driver and the
marijuana in the van. . . . He made it up in an effort to strengthen the
case," Mann said.

Tillman was convicted, though the conviction was later thrown out because of
Estes' testimony, Mann said.

DPS spokeswoman Mange said an internal investigation is underway.

Checked-by: Melodi Cornett