Hernando, MS—
FAST FACTS:
- Bureau of Narcotics officers arrive in Hernando
- MBN questions Firefighter and Police Officer
- Sources say investigation will lead Countywide
dennis.turner@wreg.com
(Hernando, MS 11/09/2009) The talk of DeSoto County is of a growing scandal involving city employees and steroid use.
It's prompted a state investigation and may have resulted in the resignation of two Hernando city employees.
Police Officer Jody Richardson and Firefighter Gene Riley have quit their jobs for personal reasons. It comes after Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics officers descended on City Hall and began asking questions about steroid use in the city.
But Hernando may just the start of the investigation.
Hernando Mayor Chip Johnson never liked hearing about doping scandals involving athletes and steroids. He liked it a lot less when he learned some of his own employees may have done the same thing. "I already have an opinion on steroids. It's illegal." he said.
Federal law describes these muscle building drugs as a "schedule three controlled substance".
When talk of a steroid ring involving Hernando Police and Fire officers surfaced, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics kicked off its investigation with a visit to the fire station at City Hall. "It's still highly unusual for the MBI to show up and pull a firefighter out of the fire station and question him almost impromptu. Very much so and it's very disturbing." said Johnson.
So far no one's been charged in the case, but several sources close to the investigation say those behind the scheme would get boxes labeled "cosmetics" mailed to them, and then distribute the steroids around the County from there.
Horn Lake City leaders confirm the Bureau of Narcotics has interviewed one police officer. But Police Chief Darryl Whaley has stated for the record, he doesn't believe it will result in any criminal charges.
That might not be the case for others, which we're told can be found at all levels of DeSoto County government.
People familiar with the investigation say MBN investigators have even questioned a school employee, though a spokesperson says the district has no knowledge of any of its employees being involved.
And while this may present new territory for Hernando and other governments, Southaven has dealt with this before. "We had an incident 6-7 years ago when had to let a couple of officers go over that." said Southaven Police Chief Tom Long.
He was able to take action because Southaven has something Hernando doesn't have, employee drug screening.
Still, Mayor Johnson says his city will likely treat this as it would any other drug abuse. "I think we'd have to treat it as illegal drug use because it's illegal."
And Chief Long says that should be the point. "There's no excuse. The law is the law and you represent the law and that's the way it should be.".
So far no one's faced criminal charges in this case, but some believe this case may result in indictments within the next few weeks.
