DRUG CASE DEFENDANTS TO CHANGE PLEAS

GREENSBORO -- Six drug-conspiracy defendants, including three former
Davidson County Sheriff's Office undercover officers, are scheduled to
appear Thursday at a change-of-plea hearing in U.S. District Court.

Ex-deputies Scott Woodall, Douglas Westmoreland and William Rankin, along
with ex-Archdale police officer Chris Shetley and Lexington residents Wyatt
Kepley and Marco Aurelio Acosta Soza, were arrested Dec. 12 on charges that
they conspired to traffic in marijuana, cocaine, anabolic steroids and Ecstasy.

Earlier, all six pleaded not guilty in federal court.

The arrests came after a months-long investigation by state and federal
investigators, who said the case was broken after they arrested a member of
the drug ring, whose name has not been released, and he cooperated with
authorities.

The six defendants were scheduled for trial beginning March 11 in U.S.
District Court in Greensboro.

The charges against them could result in prison terms of 10 years to life
and fines of up to $4 million.