SHERIFF'S OFFICE INVESTIGATIONS RAISES QUESTIONS OF INTEGRITY

HENDERSON -- Questions of integrity surround the Rusk County Sheriff's
Office as multiple investigations progress, leaving prosecutors to
wonder if any past cases were compromised.

"Anytime you have questions of integrity surrounding officers, whose
testimonies are key in a case, you have the potential for a problem,"
Rusk County District Attorney Michael Jimerson said.

He added that his staff is currently reviewing cases handled by three
former sheriff's deputies under scrutiny for allegedly violating a
suspect's rights.

Tyler FBI Supervisory Senior Resident Agent Pete Galbraith confirmed
his agency's involvement in the case.

"Yes, we are conducting a civil rights violation investigation, which
is a color of law violation," he said. "However, I cannot go into
specifics. I cannot name the officers involved or the victim or
victims involved."

A color of law violation is defined as excessive force and procedures
outside the accepted standards used by members of law enforcement on
citizens.

The district attorney's words followed a brief news conference by
Sheriff Glen Deason on Wednesday morning at which he spoke of an
alleged incident he first learned of last month.

Deason would not comment on the specifics of the case only stating an
"incident" had occurred and he expressed deep regret and apologized
for the actions of some former officers.

"It hurts me that it took so long for this to be brought to my
attention," Deason said. "It saddens me that this happened in my office."

Those close to the case said the investigation began when a suspect,
identified as Shawn Kirk Wright, made allegations that he was beaten
while in custody in a sheriff administrator's office November 2006.

According to arrest affidavits, Wright allegedly threatened the life
of another deputy earlier in the year and then reiterated the threats
when he was arrested by former Lt. Johnny Davidson on a felony arrest
warrant.

It was during questioning that the alleged beating took
place.

When the civil rights violation investigation went public late last
week, former Chief Deputy Dusty Flanagan and Davidson resigned from
the department.

"The sheriff's office will not tolerate this kind of activity," Deason
said during the press conference.

Deason said the department has updated its procedures to make officers
more accountable and to encourage the reporting of wrongdoings to
higher authorities without fear of retaliation.

The changes may have already had an affect. When asked about the
morale of personnel, new chief deputy Darrel Norris was upbeat about
the office.

"We're going to plug on and keep doing our job," Norris
said.

As for the existing officers, Deason said he had the "utmost
confidence in their ability and character."

This is the latest concern over criminal activity within the sheriff's
office. Last March, former detective Michael Davis and his wife filed
a claim for hail damage on their 1981 Ford pickup truck after a storm
passed through the area.

A forensic examiner said the truck did have damage, but it was caused
by a human with a metal object, like a hammer.

They were both arrested on a $15,000 bond. The case is being
prosecuted by the DA's office.

More recently, Jimerson said allegations have been made that a deputy
may have had child pornography on his work laptop and that case is
also reportedly under investigation by the FBI. There are no details
about the case, and the status of the deputy is not known.

Accusations of sexual misconduct have also plagued the office, and a
former deputy is the focus of a sexual harassment complaint filed with
the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Texas Rangers.

Officials said questions have also surfaced about the disappearance of
drug seizure money from the department.

Deason would not answer questions at the news conference and did not
return phone calls in reference to the cases.

Meanwhile the DA's office is absorbed with an extensive caseload -- a
caseload prosecutors hope isn't tainted.

William Brown, DA investigator, said it was the department's duty to
make sure no cases were wrongfully prosecuted because of falsified
testimony from the officers in question.

"The scary thing is it could have already happened," he
said.

Jimerson said at this time county prosecutors would review cases
involving three deputies -- Flanagan, Davidson and Sgt. Jamie Campbell
- -- and he believed the number of cases would be small.

However, that number could increase as defense attorneys question the
integrity of the entire sheriff department, he said.

Last week, Jimerson sent a letter to defense attorneys about the
investigations stating any case relying mainly on the officers'
testimony would be dismissed.

The review is to recheck cases and make sure there is enough evidence
to support their prosecution.

Jimerson said he did not want any questions surrounding any
prosecutions and his office would be diligent in the reviews.

"It needs to be thoroughly looked at and it will be," he said. "It is
our obligation to do justice."