LOCAL PROBATION OFFICER HONORED FOR HIS SERVICE

STATESVILLE - How would you like to keep track of 60 people arrested for
various federal crimes but released on bond until their day in court? Add
this: They live in eight counties.

This is the everyday work of Statesville's Scott Lunsford, 35, a U.S.
probation officer who has just been recognized for doing an outstanding job
by top officials in Washington, D.C.

Lunsford has received the Make-A-Difference Award by the Federal
Corrections and Supervision Department.

His 60 cases report to his Statesville office, but for two or three days
each week, he travels through his territory making unannounced visits to
make sure they are keeping the strict requirements of their bond.

Are they still employed? Have they skipped out for parts unknown? He
collects urine samples (to detect drug use) and sometimes conducts house
searches.

The places he visits are sometimes dangerous. During one visit, he found
himself just a few feet away when a gun battle broke out on the front porch.

That's why he travels armed and why he tries to keep the same physical
condition he maintained during four years as an inside linebacker on the
Western Carolina University football team.

If he discovers a bond violation during his supervision, he reports it to
the U.S. courts. A judge issues a warrant. Then U.S. marshals re-arrest the
offender.

Lunsford uses all the resources of his position to prevent that from
happening. The case for which he received the award illustrates this:

Three years ago, "R.W." was charged with drug and firearms offenses and
released to the pre-trial supervision of Lunsford. R.W. had a long history
of drug use.

After the first positive drug test, Lunsford confronted him with a warning
and scheduled him for drug assessment and outpatient treatment. Two months
later, the man tested positive again for illegal drugs.

Lunsford had the man placed in a 30-day residential treatment program. This
time, R.W. came out "clean."

Next, Lunsford entered him in an after-care facility, First Step Farm in
Candler. Here, R.W. was given a job and started to earn some money. Over
the next year, he made excellent progress, worked diligently and stayed
away from illegal drugs.

Although R.W. is now serving a seven-year prison term, he wants to become a
counselor at First Step Farm when he gets out, and he said he is grateful
to his probation officer for sticking with him until he turned around his life.

Lunsford said he feels that God has placed him in a position to assist many
people in trouble. "It is a great opportunity and responsibility to be a
positive influence and hopefully bring about a change in people's lives,"
he said.

When away from his desk, Lunsford and his family are active in Yadkin
Baptist Church in Statesville. He also sings with The Workmen, a gospel quartet.