The Gaston County District Attorney says he’ll dismiss all pending cases that hinge on the testimony of four law enforcement officers who were indicted in a federal stolen goods investigation. Locke Bell says his office is reviewing 83 cases to see whether they depend on those officers’ testimonies. Speeding tickets and DWIs would fall into that category.
“If the officer’s testimony is necessary, then I will dismiss the case because I will not call any of these officers and have them put their hand on the Bible and swear to tell the truth,” says Bell.
Three officers with the Cherryville police department and one reserve officer with the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office are charged with conspiracy to transport and receive stolen property. The federal indictments say they provided protection for trucks they believed were transporting stolen merchandise.
Cherryville’s Police Chief Woody Burgess and Captain Mike Allred have been suspended with pay. The acting City Manager is taking over for them.
