EX-COP SAYS SHE'S NOT GUILTY OF DRUG CHARGES

A former Edenton policewoman claims she's innocent of trying to sell
an illegal prescription pain medication.

Nicole Carmelia Gardner, 24, was indicted by a Chowan County grand
jury on Feb. 6 for felony possession with intent to sell the
prescription painkiller oxycodone.

Law enforcement officials allege they seized 52 capsules of oxycodone
from Gardner on Jan. 25.

But in an interview with The Chowan Herald of Edenton on Tuesday,
Gardner said the charges are false.

"A grand jury's only (presenting) one side" of the story, Gardner
said, adding that she has never had a prescription for oxycodone, and
has never taken the painkiller.

According to Edenton town officials, Gardner was hired as a patrol
officer in September 2004. She was fired from that job on Jan. 26, a
day after state Alcohol Law Enforcement agents say they seized the
illegal painkillers in her possession.

Gardner has been charged with possession with intent to sell and
deliver schedule II of a controlled substance. Her next court
appearance, an administrative hearing, has been scheduled for Feb.
27. She is also scheduled to appear in Chowan County Superior Court on May 1.

Gardner was released from Chowan Detention Center on a $10,000
secured bond Wednesday.

She said she has retained Edenton attorney Hackney High to represent her.

Both Edenton Town Manager Anne-Marie Knighton and Police Chief Greg
Bonner declined to discuss Gardner's arrest, other than to say she
was terminated from her job as a patrol officer with the town.

Chowan Herald staff writer Sean Jackson contributed to this report.