EX-SC COP GETS 20 YEARS IN DRUG TRAFFICKING CASE

FLORENCE, S.C. -- A former South Carolina police officer has been
sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for drug trafficking and
extortion. U.S. Attorney Walt Wilkins said former Lake City Sgt.
Shanita McKnight was sentenced in federal court Wednesday. Prosecutors
said McKnight was part of a drug ring in Lake City and used her
position as a police officer to make people pay her. They also said
McKnight tipped off drug dealers on when investigators would be in
town. McKnight was convicted in October after a five-day trial. A man
serving time on drug charges testified that the officer let him smoke
marijuana in and drive her patrol car. McKnight had faced a possible
sentence of life in prison and up to $8 million in fines.