'Corrupt to the Core' Virginia Sheriff Indicted on Drug and Racketeering Charges

Nov.2, 2006— -- The federal government has declared a Virginia sheriff and his deputies corrupt to the core.

Today Henry County Sheriff Harold Cassell and 12 of his deputies were charged with dealing crack-cocaine, marijuana and ketamine, which is commonly called the "date rape drug."

Cassell has been the sheriff of Henry County since 1992 .

The indictments culminate a five-year Drug Enforcement Administration investigation into accusations of corruption. More than 20 individuals, including the 12 deputies, have been indicted in the drug distribution and money laundering ring.

A key allegation is that officers took confiscated drugs, issued fake destruction orders and then sold the stolen contraband.

Officials said this is one of the more disturbing, systemic cases of police corruption they have ever seen. According to an indictment unsealed today, the group allegedly sold multiple kilograms of cocaine and hundreds of pounds of marijuana.

"As a public servant, I am deeply disturbed by the actions of these individuals, especially [those of] the law enforcement officers arrested today," said Shawn A. Johnson, special agent in charge of the DEA's Washington division.

"Those who betray the public trust insult the integrity and honor of all police officers who risk their lives upholding the law. The DEA joins with the Virginia State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Postal Inspection Service to send a clear message that their disgraceful acts will never be tolerated," Johnson added.

Henry County is in south-central Virginia, near the Carolina border. It is best known for the Martinsville Speedway.

In March 2005, the DEA became aware that members of the sheriff's office may be linked to the ketamine drug ring and sent a controlled delivery of the drug to a house that had been a key distribution point. That house was owned by James Vaught, a sergeant who worked for Cassell.

Vaught's house was rented by William Reed, a drug dealer who helped Vaught sell 2 kilograms of cocaine confiscated from a drug dealer while Vaught had been on duty.

Vaught resigned from the police force that month and began to cooperate with federal investigators after federal agents arrested Reed.