SECOND HOUSTON SHERIFF'S DEPUTY FIRED FOR DRUG USE

'No Excuse For An Officer Using Cocaine,' Says Sheriff Talton

Another Houston County sheriff's deputy has been fired for drug use.

Deputy Mike Roberts, 41, an eight-year member of the sheriff's office, was
initially placed on suspension with pay Aug. 13 pending the outcome of a
drug test, said Sheriff Cullen Talton.

Roberts was ordered to take the test after he cited the 5th Amendment of
the U.S. Constitution in a divorce proceeding and did not answer a question
from his wife's attorney on whether he used drugs, Talton said.

Roberts allegedly admitted to the drug use when questioned about it by
Chief Deputy Willie Talton and was immediately suspended, Sheriff Talton
said. The test results came back Aug. 21, showing a positive test for
cocaine, Sheriff Talton said.

Roberts was called in Aug. 22 and terminated, Sheriff Talton said.

Under the sheriff's office's appeals process, Roberts had 10 days to seek
an appeal and has done so, Sheriff Talton said.

Departmental policy calls for the chief deputy to make the final decision
on any disciplinary action, while the sheriff is called upon to hear any
appeals of that disciplinary action.

Sheriff Talton said he won't make a final decision until he hears the
appeal. But he also said, "To me, there's no excuse for an officer using
cocaine."

The internal appeal is set for Tuesday, Sheriff Talton said.

Roberts allegedly told Chief Deputy Talton he turned to drugs to help him
cope while going through the divorce, Sheriff Talton said.

No criminal charges have been brought against Roberts, Sheriff Talton said.

Roberts' termination comes on the heels of another drug-related firing of a
sheriff's deputy.

Sgt. Gerald "Mickey" Dees, a 22-year veteran investigator for the sheriff's
department, was fired July 30 after he tested positive for crystal meth in
his system.

The blood test was immediately ordered when Dees wrecked a police car while
on duty July 11 and was suspected of driving under the influence of drugs,
Chief Deputy Talton said. The Georgia State Patrol worked the wreck, and no
criminal charges were filed against Dees.

The actions against Roberts and Dees will be reported to the Georgia Peace
Officer Standards and Training Council. If the council revokes the
officers' certification, neither can serve in law enforcement in Georgia.
Law enforcement agencies are required under state law to notify POST of any
disciplinary action against its officers within 10 days of the action.