EX-OFFICER FACING DRUG RAP BACK IN COURT WEDNESDAY

A former Toledo police officer facing drug charges is to appear in court
Wednesday, three weeks after resigning from the department.

Mark Gant, 40, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in Toledo Municipal
Court on a felony charge of possession of cocaine powder, two counts of
drug abuse, and one count each of permitting drug abuse and possession of
drug paraphernalia. The latter three charges are misdemeanors. He resigned
effective Aug. 13 after nearly 18 years on the force.

In his resignation letter, dated Aug. 12, he stated, "I would like to thank
you for the privilege of serving on your force and will always hold the
friends I made while here close."

Police Chief Mike Navarre and Gregg Harris, president of the Toledo Police
Patrolman's Association, declined comment on the resignation. Jerome
Phillips, Mr. Gant's attorney, said he hopes to resolve the matter during
the preliminary hearing.

Mr. Gant was arrested April 19. At the time, he agreed to be relieved of
duty without pay, which meant that an administrative investigation of the
charges would wait until after the criminal investigation was complete.

The administrative investigation is now closed because Mr. Gant resigned.

The charges stemmed from a weeks-long investigation of drug abuse whose
main target was another man. Mr. Gant was arrested after a search of his
North Toledo residence. Police charged Jonathon Bryant, 38, who lives in
Mr. Gant' s home, with felony drug offenses. Mr. Bryant's preliminary
hearing is scheduled for Sept. 23 in Municipal Court.

Mr. Gant was hired in 1984 and most recently served as a uniformed officer
in the community services section.