DA DISMISSES DRUG CHARGES

The 32nd Judicial District Attorney's office announced the dismissal of
drug charges against 16 individuals who were arrested in Fisher County as a
result of a year-long undercover investigation.

The dismissal, according to a statement from District Attorney Mark
Edwards, was done after the discovery of a confidential informant allegedly
fabricating information to authorities, which led to the arrest of one of
the defendants.

Fisher County Sheriff Mickey Counts identified the informant as 35-year-old
Tommy Lamont Williams, originally of Sweetwater. Counts said Williams
currently lives in Rotan.

Williams was arrested and indicted on charges of fabricating physical
evidence and possession of cocaine with the intent to deliver. He is free
on a $10,000 bond.

"We did what needs to be done. This informant compromised the whole
investigation," Counts said.

Charges were dropped for all but three of the defendants.

[NAME DELETED] of Rotan remains in custody with pending drug charges with
no relation to the dismissal. [NAMES DELETED], also of Rotan, posted bond
and are now awaiting court dates.

The early-morning sweep in December included the participation of 10 law
enforcement agencies, spearheaded by the 32nd Judicial District Attorney's
Office and the Fisher County Sheriff's Office, with over 40 uniformed and
plain clothes officers involved.

Counts briefed the officers, which consisted of investigators and deputies
from the 32nd Judicial District Attorney's Office, which includes Fisher,
Mitchell and Nolan counties, police officers for Sweetwater, Roscoe,
Snyder, Hamlin, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC), Department
of Public Safety troopers and Parks and Wildlife authorities.

Thirteen individuals were arrested and charged with possession of cocaine
with the intent to deliver, two arrested and charged with possession of
marijuana with the intent to deliver and one arrested and charged with
delivery of a simulated substance.

"Even though there is evidence that this occurred in only one case, I am
dismissing all charges in which this particular confidential informant
participated. There is no doubt that people who are guilty of possessing
cocaine and marijuana will go free," Edwards said.

He added, "I am doing this to insure the integrity of all other criminal
investigations and to maintain the confidence the public has in our
criminal justice system."