OFFICER'S CHARGES STEM FROM DRUG CASE

An Edenton police detective is facing felony criminal charges for
apparently switching less than $400 in cash seized in a drug case.
Michael Aaron Davidson, 32, of 437 Ryland Road, Edenton, was arrested
by the State Bureau of Investigation Tuesday on charges officials
would only describe as altering evidence in a criminal investigation.
District Attorney Frank Parrish and Edenton Town Manager Anne-Marie
both declined to elaborate on the nature of the charges against
Davidson. However, a magistrate's order indicates that Davidson was
arrested because there was probable cause to believe he "switched
(cash) with a like amount." Chowan Magistrate Jimmy L. Badger's order
states that the amount switched was $380. Badger said Friday he
couldn't elaborate on details of the charges against Davidson because
he wasn't privy to them. Badger said he issued an arrest warrant to
the SBI because their evidence met the state's standard for probable
cause.

But Edenton Police Chief Greg Bonner said Friday that the charges
stemmed from the fact that the denominations of cash seized in a drug
investigation were different from those Davidson allegedly reported.
"If those denominations are not the same that the officer put in the
report, it can be looked at as altering evidence," Bonner said. He
gave an example of having a $10 bill in evidence when a police
investigative report states that two $5 bills were seized. Davidson,
who was hired by the Edenton Police Department in 2003, is currently
on administrative leave, Knighton said Thursday. His first court
appearance will be Tuesday at 9:30 a.m.