Feds accuse sheriff of Ill. county of drug dealing

[May 19, 2009]  SHAWNEETOWN (AP) -- Federal prosecutors are accusing the longtime sheriff of a county in southeastern Illinois of selling marijuana, often while on duty.

Gallatin County Sheriff Raymond Martin was arrested Monday and appeared in court on three counts of distributing marijuana and two counts of carrying a firearm while trafficking drugs.

Martin has been sheriff of Gallatin County since 1990.

The complaint accuses the 46-year-old sheriff of distributing more than 1,100 grams -- more than two pounds -- of marijuana between April 27 and May 11.

A woman who answered Martin's home phone Tuesday said the sheriff had no comment.

A judge appointed a federal public defender for Martin. A detention hearing is set for Wednesday.

Feds accuse sheriff of Ill. county of drug dealing

[Associated Press]

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