MORGAN DEPUTY ARRESTED BY FBI DENIES DRUG ALLEGATIONS

HUNTSVILLE - A Morgan County sheriff's deputy accused by the FBI of
distributing marijuana said he will fight the charges because he is innocent.

Deputy Gregory Lamar Johnson, 37, of 616 Corsbie St., Hartselle, said from
his attorney's office in Huntsville that he will plead not guilty at his
arraignment.

"I deny it, totally," Johnson said. "I'm going to fight this because it's
ruined my name and my reputation, and I'm not going to stand for it."

Johnson's attorney, Robert Shipman, said the charges brought against his
client Monday didn't come first-hand from law enforcement personnel.

"So far there are allegations in a complaint, but there's been no evidence
presented." Shipman said.

"The complaint is not by law enforcement persons that say they saw
anything, but just by private citizens, one in particular, that say they
saw him pass some marijuana."

When asked if only private citizens brought complaints against Johnson,
Supervisory Special Agent Mike Ponzo said the FBI cannot comment on the
impending investigation.

Another allegation brought in the FBI's affidavit states that while Johnson
worked for the Hillsboro Police Department he signed for and took
possession of marijuana that was confiscated as evidence, and then it
turned up missing.

According to the affidavit, the Lawrence County district attorney's office
dropped a marijuana possession charge against Johnson because it was
unclear whether the department or Johnson lost the evidence.

Johnson, on the advice of his attorney, declined to comment on the matter.

The affidavit further states that a woman interviewed by the FBI claims she
developed a relationship with Johnson, receiving marijuana from him over
several months, and that on one occasion he brought her marijuana in a
Hillsboro police evidence envelope.

Johnson, who previously worked with Hillsboro police before transferring to
North Courtland, denies giving away, selling, buying or doing any form of
drugs.

"All these things are alleged," Johnson said. "All these things that are
printed in the paper are alleged. This relationship that they're saying,
it's alleged. It never happened, and I want to make that clear to everyone."

Suspended From Job

Johnson doesn't know what his specific employment status is with the Morgan
County Sheriff's Department, saying he spoke with Sheriff Greg Bartlett
briefly Monday.

"I'm indefinitely suspended right now," Johnson said. "They're going to
have a hearing with the Personnel Board. I don't know if I'm terminated. I
don't know if I'm on leave without pay. I've spoken with him (Bartlett),
and he said he supports me in a way, but he said it's what they had to do."

Bartlett said earlier this week that he was taking immediate action to
terminate the deputy through the county's personnel system.

Shipman expressed confidence in his defense of Johnson.

"We have a case that appears to involve a very small amount of marijuana,
and we have a case where key people do not have the credibility of an FBI
agent or a law enforcement person." Shipman said. "There is a lot more
optimism from the defense under these circumstances."

Shipman said neither he nor his client is certain of the identity of
Johnson's accusers.

"We don't want to name somebody and be incorrect, and put them in the same
position he's (Johnson) been put in," Shipman said. "This is not an
undercover policeman, and this is not law enforcement persons that say he
did it. We're going to fight this, and he's asking everybody to wait before
passing any judgment on him and see what facts come out."

Johnson's indictment and arraignment are expected to come later this month.

CORRECTION

An article in Thursday's Valley Edition incorrectly reported that the
Lawrence County district attorney's office dropped a past marijuana
possession charge against Morgan County Deputy Sheriff Gregory Lamar Johnson.

The charge was not against Johnson. It was against another man.

THE DAILY regrets the error and is glad to set the record straight.