FORMER CITY WORKER FINED $2,000 FOR SELLING CRACK

Longtime Employee Operated Out Of Peoria-Owned SUV

PEORIA - A former employee of the city's public works department was
sentenced Friday to just shy of six years in prison for selling drugs out
of a city-owned sport-utility vehicle.

In addition to the 70-month prison sentence, Gary Adkisson, 47, of 1608
Great Oak Road must pay a $2,000 fine, Chief U.S. District Judge Joe B.
McDade ordered.

During the hearing, McDade noted that Adkisson, dressed sharply in a suit,
wasn't the type of person who tends to wind up in prison for selling crack
cocaine.

"That's what makes your situation so tragic. You had a future, and you
messed it up," the judge said as Adkisson nodded in agreement.

For 27 years, Adkisson worked with the city. Last year, he was one of the
city's liaisons for its resident engineers for street-rebuilding projects.
City spokeswoman Alma Brown said he had resigned on Aug. 28, 2001, but on
Friday, his voice mail message at his former number still worked.

Adkisson told the judge he got into selling drugs because his financial
situation had gotten out of control because of his drug use.

On Aug. 23, 2001, FBI agents arranged to buy a quarter-ounce of crack
cocaine from Adkisson, court records indicate. Adkisson drove over to the
home of the confidential informant in a city-marked SUV and was arrested
within minutes by the FBI and city police.

Inside the car, agents found an aerosol can with a false bottom containing
51.6 grams of crack cocaine and 41.3 grams of powder cocaine.

He was indicted by a federal grand jury in December, but that was sealed
until he pleaded guilty on Feb. 15 to one count distribution of crack cocaine.

Adkisson remains free on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond until he
surrenders to U.S. Bureau of Prison officials in July. He would be liable
for the entire amount if he fails to appear in court.