MPD PROPERTY THEFTS TRIGGER INDICTMENTS

Evidence-Room Supervisor, Clerk Among 16 Linked To Cocaine Ring

Two Memphis Police Department workers were among 16 people identified
Tuesday in federal indictments that link thefts from the police property
and evidence room to a cocaine ring.

Memphis police called in the FBI, acting on a tip from inside the
department, said Police Director James Bolden.

U.S. Atty. Terrell Harris said more than $1 million in cash was seized from
a house and car belonging to Kenneth Dansberry, 41, shift supervisor for
the property and evidence room. Dansberry is a 21-year-city employee who
lives at 7659 Cordova Club Drive in Cordova.

Also arrested was Carl Edward Johnson, 42, a senior inventory-control
clerk. Before being hired by the city in 1999, Johnson was a pizza
deliveryman, according to city personnel records. Dansberry earns $33,963 a
year in his city job; Johnson's annual salary is $32,204.

The police property room is the holding place for drugs seized in police
raids, stolen goods and weapons. Items may held for a few hours or
indefinitely. They are supposed to be logged into a computer database, and
kept under 24-hour video surveillance.

In a mid-afternoon press conference, Harris elaborated little on the three
indictments returned last week, but sealed until Tuesday afternoon. Other
arrests are expected, he said.

It was not clear how the defendants in the three indictments relate to each
other, or even if they are acquainted.

Two defendants are from Atlanta and the rest are from Memphis. All but one
suspect had been arrested by late afternoon, officials said.

Harris said more than three dozen searches were carried out Tuesday in
Memphis, Atlanta and Olive Branch, Miss. Eight vehicles valued at $315,000,
one-fourth kilogram of cocaine, nine firearms, jewelry valued at $40,000
and another $300,000 in cash were seized.

The indictment says $2.4 million in cash and 29 vehicles, ranging from
Fords and Mercedes-Benzes to Freightliner trucks, are to be forfeited,
along with four properties in Memphis, Olive Branch and the Atlanta area
worth $1.75 million.

Bolden said the case shows his administration "will not tolerate public
corruption under any conditions."

Police officials will not "shy away" from pursuing criminal acts within the
department, he said.

Bolden said he has asked for a state audit of the property and evidence room.

Michael Folmar, acting special agent in charge of the Memphis FBI office,
praised Bolden and his staff. Police could have "shut down the property
room day one and taken out those involved . . . but the intent was to take
out the cancerous cells in the Police Department," Folmar said.

In a four-count indictment, Dansberry, Johnson and Crystal N. Greer, 25, of
Memphis are accused of conspiracy to violate federal currency laws by
structuring cash bank deposits that were used to buy a 2000 Volkswagen Jetta.

A two-count indictment charges Memphian Darryl McGhee, 31, with cocaine
possession.

Also indicted on cocaine charges were Eric Brown, 35, and Patrick D.
Maxwell, 32, both of Atlanta, and Memphians Lermedeyo Malone, 34; Reginald
Pullen, 43; Rodney Craine, 33; Darren K. Cox, 35; Brian Cox, 31; Erick
Williams, 36, and Julius Jamar Winder, 33.

Also facing cocaine charges are Memphians James Tunstall, Rodney Tunstall
and Randy Taylor, no ages available.

James and Rodney Tunstall also face weapons charges.