DRUG TASK FORCE HEAD ARRESTED

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation arrested the director of the 10th
Judicial Drug Task Force Tuesday night on drug charges stemming from
reports evidence was missing from the DTF office in Charleston.

According to TBI spokesperson Jeanne Broadwell in Nashville, DTF Director
Kenneth Don Wilson, 53, of 179 County Road 633, Etowah, was arrested around
11:30 Tuesday night and charged with simple possession of the Schedule II
drug cocaine. TBI Special Agent In-Charge Richard Brogan arrested Wilson
and booked him into the McMinn County Jail around 1:30 a.m. today.

The DTF operates under the supervision of the District Attorney's Office
and aids agencies within the District in drug investigations, as well as
conducting independent investigations.

District Attorney General Jerry N. Estes said this morning he was apprised
Tuesday of a situation that led him to contact the TBI.

"Late yesterday afternoon I became aware that there might be some evidence
missing from the DTF evidence room and I immediately contacted the TBI,"
Estes said this morning.

He said more charges are possible.

"At this point in time I understand the investigation resulted in the
arrest of DTF Director Ken Wilson," Estes said. "I anticipate requesting a
pro tem district attorney from another district to take the case."

Estes said no official action has been taken regarding Wilson's employment
with the DTF but other measures were taken following the arrest.

"Last night I did instruct a couple of agents to secure his badge,
equipment and credentials," Estes said.

"As of this morning, I am in the process of contacting the voting board
members of the DTF for a tentative meeting this afternoon," he said.

Estes said board members will have to decide what will be done regarding
Wilson's employment as well as the future of the DTF office in Charleston.

"The DTF is now maintaining status quo," Estes said. "They will not be
beginning any new investigations. Any agents that are already investigating
cases will be continuing on those, but not new cases."

Estes said he would be able to comment more on the future of the DTF as
soon as the DTF Board meets. The Board is made up of sheriffs and police
chiefs, among others in the law enforcement community, who represent
agencies in the 10th Judicial District which includes McMinn, Bradley, Polk
and Monroe counties.

Calls this morning to the DTF office in Charleston were unanswered.

Wilson is currently free on $2,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in
General Sessions Court Thursday, according to records at the McMinn County
Justice Center.