EX-POLICE OFFICER PLEADS GUILTY

Lincoln Woman Faces From Nine To 37 Years In Prison On Drug Charges

LINCOLN - Former Lincoln Police Cpl. Diana R. Short pleaded guilty
last week, formally admitting she grew marijuana in the basement of
her home and conspired with her daughter to manufacture methamphetamine.

Short, 46, faces at least nine and up to 37 years in prison when she
is sentenced at 11 a.m. Oct. 6.

The former police officer pleaded guilty to six drug and weapons
charges in exchange for the dismissal of seven drug-related criminal
felonies, according to court records.

The agreement did not address any specific sentencing recommendations.

Short pleaded guilty to unlawful criminal drug conspiracy, a Class X
felony, stemming from a thwarted plot between Short and her
22-year-old daughter Brianna Strohl to manufacture meth to raise bond
money for Short, who was being held in lieu of $7,500 at the Logan
County Safety Complex.

The other charges to which she pleaded guilty stem from evidence
Illinois State Police recovered at Short's former residence in the
500 block of North Hamilton Street during a raid in December.

Those charges include unlawful manufacture of marijuana with the
intent to deliver, a Class 2 felony; official misconduct, a Class 3
felony; filing a false affidavit, a Class 4 felony; and two Class A
misdemeanors for possessing illegal firearms.

Charges including controlled substance trafficking and unlawful
manufacture of a controlled substance, both Class X felonies;
criminal drug conspiracy and unlawful possession of methamphetamine
manufacturing chemicals, both Class 1 felonies; unlawful manufacture
of marijuana and solicitation, both Class 2 felonies; and unlawful
production of marijuana plants, a Class 3 felony were dismissed in
exchange for the plea.

During their raid, police recovered 25 marijuana plants, psilocybin
spores capable of developing into hallucinogenic mushrooms and three
illegal handguns in the basement of the house that were owned by the
former officer and her 41-year-old husband, John Short.

John Short pleaded guilty to growing marijuana and mushroom spores
Aug. 4 and was sentenced to six years in prison.