The three suspects were walked into court on Friday in Charlotte.
CHARLOTTE -- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officers Gerald H. Holas, Jr., 35, and Jason A. Ross, 35, have been arrested on federal drug conspiracy allegations. In addition, David Lockhart, 25, has been arrested and charged with drug conspiracy allegations.
Today’s statement is made by Gretchen C.F. Shappert, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina; Nathan T. Gray, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in North Carolina; and Interim Chief David Graham of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
The federal criminal complaint filed against Holas, Ross, and Lockhart alleges that they participated in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of cocaine base (also known as “crack” cocaine) , in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841, 846. The affidavit in support of the complaint is currently under seal. Holas, Ross, and Lockhart were all arrested Thursday evening, June 12, 2008 and are currently being held in federal custody at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Jail.
Holas, Ross, and Lockhart each made initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carl Horn today. All three defendants were ordered detained pending further hearings in federal court during the week of June 16, 2008. Detention hearings for the three will be held in U.S. District Court in Charlotte on Thursday, June 19, 2008 beginning at 9:30 a.m.
News 14 Carolina's Kate Gaier is at the federal courthouse with more on the case Friday afternoon.
Under the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, a defendant arrested on federal criminal complaint is entitled to a probable cause hearing within ten (10) days of his/her arrest, unless indicted or unless criminal information against the defendant is filed in U.S. District Court before the passage of ten days.
The defendants face a term of imprisonment of not less than 10 years nor more than life on the charged drug conspiracy offense. Defendants in criminal cases are entitled to a presumption of innocence, and the government has the burden of proving all charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
Furthermore, any sentence received upon conviction will be influenced by the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which the Court consults in order to determine each defendant’s actual sentence based upon a formula that takes into account the severity and characteristics of the offense and each defendant’s criminal history, if any.
U.S. Attorney Shappert thanks the FBI and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, both of which have worked together with the U.S. Attorney’s office throughout the course of the investigation that resulted in the filing of these charges. The government is represented in this matter by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael E. Savage and Matthew T. Martens of the U.S. Attorney’s Criminal Division in Charlotte.
In that this is a pending matter before the District Court, further comment at this time from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, or the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department would be inappropriate.
“It is with extreme disappointment that I learned two of our Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officers have been arrested on federal drug conspiracy allegations by federal authorities. As Mayor, I presume the innocence of everyone arrested. However, even the possibility of two of our police officers engaging in illegal drug activity is a disappointment to me and the City of Charlotte.
First, the drug culture in our city and country is impacting the safety of our citizens and community and no involvement in illegal drugs is acceptable. Second, we expect the highest standards from all our police officers. This is a stain on both our City and the over 1665 sworn police officers who are risking their lives every day to uphold the law and protect our citizens. I have often ridden with our police officers and have seen firsthand their professionalism and dedication.
I am asking the City Manager, along with the Police Chief, to do a thorough review of our policies and practices to ensure that no one within city government is participating in illegal activities and is above reproach. This should include a review of our application and screening process for police officers, training procedures, and our day-to-day supervision.
While there will be an investigation to determine the facts and involvement of these officers, it is unfortunate that this situation has impacted the excellent reputation that each police officer and city employee has worked to build with the citizens of Charlotte. I continue to have faith in the integrity of our police force and will closely monitor this situation as more facts emerge. I want to assure the public that the City and all its employees will cooperate fully with federal authorities.”