SHERIFF ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGES

SPRINGFIELD, Ga. - Suspended Effingham County Sheriff Jay Space has been
arrested on charges that he illegally used prescription drugs, and the
county's district attorney filed a petition seeking to have him permanently
removed from office. Sheriff Space was arrested at his home, said Georgia
Bureau of Investigation spokesman John Bankhead in Atlanta.

Mr. Bankhead said Sheriff Space was booked in Effingham County jail on five
felony drug counts and bonded out. He is suspected of possessing various
prescription drugs that weren't prescribed to him, Mr. Bankhead said.

Additional charges could be filed pending results of the state
investigation, Mr. Bankhead said.

Ogeechee Circuit District Attorney Joe Martin followed through with a
petition seeking to have Sheriff Space removed from office, officials said.

"I feel for Sheriff Space. I hate that all this has come about," Effingham
Commission Chairman Phillip King said.

The 40-year-old Sheriff Space was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis last
year, and county officials say the disease and medication have rendered him
unable to perform his duties.

Gov. Roy Barnes issued an executive order June 18 suspending Sheriff Space
for 60 days based on a recommendation from an investigatory panel that
included two sheriffs and Attorney General Thurbert Baker.

Richard Bush, a lieutenant in the sheriff's department, has been appointed
interim sheriff.

Inquiries to the Effingham County Sheriff's Department were referred to
political consultant David Simons, who said Sheriff Space is assessing the
situation.

"I think this goes back to the fact that Jay's former chief deputy has gone
to work for the district attorney's office. This is basically a situation
of a former trusted employee turning his back on his employer," Mr. Simons
said.

Mr. Simons was referring to Rick Dailey, a former major in the sheriff's
department. Neither Mr. Dailey nor Sheriff Space could be located for a
comment.