DRUG PROBE PROMPTS 11 JAIL FIRINGS

12th Deputy Jailer Quits Amid Smuggling Allegations

Shelby County sheriff's officials have fired 10 deputy jailers and a
technician during administrative hearings this week that spawned from
federal drug-smuggling charges. A twelfth jailer resigned before the hearings.

The deputy jailers, two former jailers, and three others, including a
Postal Service worker, were indicted March 9.

During the past year the jailers took money, usually $500 or $1,000, to
sneak what they believed to be Oxycontin and crack cocaine in to Shelby
County Jail inmates, the indictments said.

Most of the drugs were sham drugs, given to them by FBI agents to take into
the jail at 201 Poplar.

But Scott Hall, attorney for fired deputy jailer Veronda Jackson, said the
dismissal of his client, who is still in shock, doesn't mean she played a
role in any conspiracy.

"It has no bearing whatsoever on her guilt or innocence in this case," he
said. "She denies any of the allegations in the federal case. We think she
will be exonerated."

Defendant Greg Reed, a private security guard who worked in the jail, is
accused of smuggling in more than an ounce of heroin.

Jailer Ariane Grant recruited others to smuggle drugs and offered to bring
a pistol to an inmate, Asst. U.S. Atty. Tim DiScenza said in court.

DiScenza described another jailer, Curtis Springer, as dangerous. He's
charged with bringing 50 fake Oxycontin pills and a small amount of phony
crack to an inmate.

Among the employees fired March 19 were Jackson, Grant, Springer, fellow
deputy jailers Monica Johnson, Shelia Jones, Carolyn Kirk-Wigley, Tammy
Lewis, Ronald Hughes, Rita Williamson, Mario Parson, and administrative
technician Deborah Franklin.

Deputy jailer Tiffany Maxwell resigned March 10.

Before last week's hearings, the employees were on paid leave.

Several of them are scheduled for court dates next week.

The next step for the employees is a standard grievance hearing, said
Dorothy Crook, director of the local AFSCME office. The union, which isn't
involved in the federal case, will represent the employees in hearings to
ensure they were properly fired.

"We certainly don't condone any wrongdoing on either side," Crook said.