ANNISTON WOMAN GETS FOUR LIFE PRISON TERMS

An Anniston woman who was convicted on federal drug charges has been
sentenced to four life terms in federal prison. Chief U.S. District
Judge U.W. Clemon sentenced Nellie Patton, 48, to the life terms
Monday.

Ms. Patton, who authorities say is one of Anniston's most notorious
and prolific crack cocaine distributors, was convicted in June for
three counts of distributing crack cocaine and one count of
conspiring with others to distribute crack cocaine.

The conviction and sentence cap a lengthy two-year investigation by
agents with the Calhoun County Drug Task Force, the U.S. Drug
Enforcement Agency, and the narcotics division of the state
Department of Public Safety.

The sentence "is a message to all the people involved in drug
distribution that this is what happens to you," said investigator
Randal Sanders, a task force member assigned to the DEA.

Police seized more than $100,000 in cash when they arrested Ms.
Patton. But they say it was only a small fraction of the proceeds
from the drug sales in which she was involved.

Sanders, who led the joint investigation, said Ms. Patton and her
associates were dealing between 5 kilograms and 25 kilograms of crack
cocaine and cocaine a month, which had an estimated street value of
$100,000 and $400,000.

This was not the first time Ms. Patton was convicted of felony drug
charges. At sentencing, the judge alluded to two prior convictions.
"This case represented the best efforts of federal, state and local
law-enforcement agencies working together for the common goal of
ridding this state of major drug traffickers such as Nellie Patton,"
said U.S. Attorney Alice H. Martin.

"I am proud of the excellent working relationship the prosecutors in
my office have established with these agencies," Ms. Martin said.
"And I look forward to ensuring that these relationships bear the
fruit of mutual hard work and respect."

The drug task force, which operates in Calhoun and Cleburne counties,
got a boost from the state Tuesday in its fight against drugs. Gov.
Don Siegelman awarded the task force a $330,000 grant.

Calhoun County, the District Attorney's Office and the cities of
Anniston, Heflin, Jacksonville, Piedmont and Weaver contributed a
combined total of $110,000 in matching funds.

"The continuation of this program sends a strong message that
trafficking, distribution and use of illegal drugs will not be
tolerated in Alabama," Siegelman said. "I commend the work of
law-enforcement officials in Calhoun and Cleburne Counties, and I am
pleased to provide these funds."

Started in 1988 in Calhoun County, the task force expanded into
Cleburne County last year.

Last year the task force shut down four methamphetamine labs in
Cleburne County and 33 similar labs in Calhoun County, according to
the state.