SHERIFF'S AUCTION SET FOR SATURDAY

This Saturday's auction of seized vehicles and other property will be one of
the best ever, according to McMinn County Sheriff Steve Frisbie.

Frisbie said about 30 cars and trucks will cross the auction block Saturday
at 10 a.m. at the McMinn County Justice Center.

"This will be one of the better sales in a long time," Frisbie said. "We've
got several good-looking automobiles this time."

Frisbie said this Saturday's auction will include more late-model cars and
trucks than are usually seen.

The Sheriff's Department and 10th Judicial District Drug Task Force are
teaming up for this auction and several late model cars will be up for bids.

"Everything will be sold," Frisbie said.

Proceeds from the auction will go into the agencies' drug funds to be used
for drug enforcement-related programs and operations at the Sheriff's
Department and DTF office in Charleston.

"These vehicles were seized in DUI, revoked-license and drug arrests,"
Frisbie said. "What goes into the drug fund is utilized in a lot of
different ways to combat the drug problem in McMinn County."

State guidelines dictate how the funds can be used and the Tennessee
Department of Commerce audits the drug fund annually to make sure guidelines
are being met.

State law regulates auction of seizure sales, and 100 percent of the sale
price of a "drug car" sold at auction goes to the Sheriff's Department's
drug fund, while 70 percent of the sale price of a "DUI car" goes to the
seizing agency. The remaining 30 percent pays for the cost of the auction
itself and the remainder of that goes to the state, Frisbie said.

He said in addition to anti-drug programs and drug operations, the drug
fund's monies also go toward funding the salary of the department's drug
officer, B.J. Johnson.

"Last year about this time, the county commissioners gave their blessing to
hire a drug officer," Frisbie said. "His salary comes strictly from the drug
fund.

"B.J.'s been doing a good job and I'm looking forward to what he can
accomplish in the future," said Frisbie.

In this Saturday's auction, the DTF will be putting five vehicles on the
block, a 1994 Ford Crown Victoria and Chevrolet Cavalier, a 1992 BMW 325i, a
1991 Lincoln Towncar and a 1986 Nissan 300ZX. The Sheriff's Department's
list of automobiles is much longer and includes several early 1990s models
and 1980s models as well as four pickup trucks and two vans, according to
the sheriff.

Dean Howard and Daughters Auction Co., will be handling Saturday's auction.
Howard and his daughter, Charlene, will be on hand when bidding begins.

Prospective bidders should be aware that a 10 percent buyer's premium is
added to the bid price and all items are sold as is, said Frisbie.

"Everyone must remember that a DUI offender can't purchase their own car
back," he said. "Some people always ask if they can buy back their car, but
it's against state law for us to allow them to buy it back."

A preview inspection will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday, according to
Howard.