AIKEN COUNTY OFFICIALS DEAL WITH NARCOTICS UNIT'S FIRING

Aiken, S.C. | Aiken County is dealing with the fallout of the
firings of the sheriff's entire narcotics unit as prosecutors check
cases made by the investigators and the county asks federal agents
to help with drug crimes.

The four officers were fired Thursday by Sheriff Michael Hunt who
said they drove unmarked, county-owned cars to bars last month. The
sheriff said at least one woman performed a sex act on one of the
officers as they drove around.

Hunt has asked the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division to
investigate whether the officers misused government money,
improperly destroyed evidence or committed other misconduct.

Prosecutor Barbara Morgan said how she handles the drug cases made
by the fired investigators depends on whether they are charged with
any crimes.

"We'll make the appropriate calls at the appropriate times," said
Morgan, who is having her staff set aside any cases the officers
were involved in.

The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
have volunteers to help the county with drug cases until the sheriff
can hire enough officers to get it back running, said sheriff's
spokesman Lt. Michael Frank.

The fired officers are Lt. Jonathon Owenby, 30, of Aiken; and
investigators James Crowell, 33, of North Augusta; Tim Roberts, 29,
of Aiken; and Luke Williamson, 34, of North Augusta.

Narcotics investigator Brian Owens, 38, of Aiken, has been suspended
with pay pending the outcome of the state investigation.

Owens was not involved in the Sept. 13 events, said Frank, who
refused to elaborate on why the investigator was suspended.