COLUMBUS POLICE OFFICER INDICTED ON FEDERAL FELONY CHARGE

A Columbus police patrolman was indicted Wednesday by a federal grand
jury in the Middle District of Georgia on a charge of misprision of a
felony.

Cory Wilber has turned in his badge and gun and is currently taking
"personal time" following the allegation that he concealed knowledge
of a felony and participated in a scheme to steal money from a drug
organization.

The felony of which Wilber is accused of concealing is conspiracy to
possess with the intent to distribute marijuana. According to the
Columbus Consolidated Government's human resources department, Wilber
was hired March 23, 1998, as a patrol officer. His pay was $31,922.28
a year. Upon his arrest, expected to come either Friday or Monday,
Wilber will be terminated from the police department, Columbus Police
Chief Ricky Boren said.

"We're going to continue our investigation," Boren said. "We're
cleaning our own house."