DEPUTY U.S. MARSHAL CHARGED WITH CRACK POSSESSION

By the Associated Press

SALEM, Va. -- A deputy U.S. marshal was charged with possession of
crack cocaine after an investigation by the U.S. Marshal's Service,
Virginia State Police and Salem Police.

Joseph Bruer Jr., 49, of Salem, was released Friday on a $10,000
bond. A preliminary hearing was set for May 17.

David Turner, a spokesman for the Marshal's Service in Richmond,
declined to comment on the case, but said U.S. Marshal policy is
normally to place an employee on leave while an investigation is
ongoing.

Bruer's wife, Lois Bruer, 47, and daughter, Keisha Bruer, 19, were
charged Thursday with assault and intimidating a witness in the case.
Police allege the Bruers assaulted the witness, Lauryn Green, at
Joseph Bruer's home shortly after he was arrested Thursday.

Lois and Keisha Bruer do not live at the home, police said.