CONSTABLE CHARGED WITH DRUG POSSESSION

Grand Jury: Rockcastle Official Intended To Distribute Cocaine

MOUNT VERNON - A Rockcastle County constable possessed cocaine and
marijuana with the intent to distribute the drugs, a federal grand jury has
charged.

Thomas F. Bullen, 44, turned himself in to the FBI Thursday and was
released on bond, U.S. Attorney Gregory F. Van Tatenhove's office said
yesterday.

Bullen said yesterday that he entered a plea of not guilty at his initial
appearance, but would not discuss the case.

"I ain't got nothing to say," he said.

Bullen was elected constable in 1998 as a Republican. He did not file for
re-election this year.

Constables have police powers in Kentucky, but Bullen did not perform
police work, according to Mount Vernon Police Chief William Mink and
Rockcastle Sheriff's Deputy Trevor Hemsley.

Constables can get paid for serving court documents, and some counties also
pay them a salary for helping police. There is no salary for constables in
Rockcastle County, however, said Judge-Executive Buzz Carloftis.

Mount Vernon police served a search warrant at Bullen's house Dec. 30 and
arrested him after finding more than three ounces of cocaine and more than
a pound of marijuana, according to an arrest citation by Officer Barry
Adams. Adams declined to comment yesterday on what led police to start
investigating Bullen.

The citation said Bullen admitted trafficking in cocaine and marijuana.

The FBI and U.S. attorney's office later took responsibility for the case,
apparently because Bullen is a public official.

According to a news release from Van Tatenhove, Bullen also had a
.380-caliber Browning pistol and $2,130 when he was arrested. The money
allegedly came from illegal drug sales.

The grand jury charged that between March 2001 and Dec. 30, Bullen
conspired to possess, and did possess, cocaine and marijuana with intent to
distribute it; and that he possessed a gun in connection with a drug crime.

The maximum potential sentence if Bullen is convicted is 40 years and a $2
million fine. However, sentences are typically substantially below the
maximum allowed under federal guidelines.

Before being elected constable, Bullen had convictions in Rockcastle County
for trespass, criminal mischief and menacing, according to court records.

Bullen is scheduled for trial in federal court July 8.