03142003 - News Article - M.C. officer indicted on drug charges

M.C. officer indicted on drug charges 

South Bend Tribune (IN)
March 14, 2003

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SOUTH BEND -- Twenty-four years to the day since Donald Webb Sr. became a sworn Michigan City officer , a federal grand jury handed down a 17-count indictment against him, including charges of dealing cocaine and marijuana and extorting money from drug dealers. 

The alleged offenses occurred from 1998 to the present. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested Webb at his Michigan City home Thursday morning. 

The U.S. attorney's office held a news conference Thursday afternoon in the federal courthouse in South Bend to announce the indictments, which were handed down Wednesday. 

The four most serious charges include conspiracy to distribute and distribution of marijuana and cocaine. Each of those counts carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and a $1,000,000 fine. 

Webb allegedly received shipments of marijuana from Mexico and El Paso, Texas, and used his position to obtain a better price for the marijuana. Webb allegedly also bought cocaine from an El Paso supplier. He is accused of distributing the drugs in and around Michigan City. 

According to the indictment, Webb was assigned to a drug task force in 1995. As part of his assignment, he obtained names of drug dealers and allegedly solicited money from them with the understanding that he would not arrest or pursue them. 

The indictment also states that Webb would provide drug traffickers with information on investigations, undercover officers and informants. 

"This is a sad day for me, as chief of police, my department and the community we serve. However, no one is above the law," Michigan City Police Chief Eugene Simmons said at the news conference. "We took a corrupt officer off the street today, and our community is a safer place." 

Up until his arrest, Webb was still working as an officer . His last day on the job was Tuesday; he was taken into custody at his apartment. Simmons said he suspended Webb on Thursday. 

"I can suspend an officer up to five days and recommend the termination of the officer to the Michigan City Civil Service Commission," Simmons said. 

Michigan City police began investigating Webb in the late 1990s after the department received many complaints about Webb 's activities. By 1999, the department turned the case over to the FBI. Indiana State Police assisted. 

Webb appeared before a federal magistrate Thursday in Hammond. The government requested that Webb be detained until his trial. A detention hearing is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon in South Bend. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald Schmid, who will try the case, indicated the case is strong, with many witnesses to support it. Yet, Schmid is hoping more people will come forward with information. 

"I have found some of the best information comes after the arrest," Schmid said. 

Anyone with information that could help the investigation into Webb 's alleged activities is urged to call Indiana State Police at (800) 552-8917 or (219) 696-6242. 

According to The Times of Northwest Indiana, another Michigan City officer , Detective Ricky Anderson, quit his job in July after news articles indicated he supplied Lake County Auditor Peter Benjamin with drugs in exchange for prostitutes. 

Anderson turned government witness, and Benjamin was indicted by federal officials in June. Anderson allegedly received drugs from another Michigan City officer , according to the Times. 

When asked late Thursday whether that officer was Webb , Michigan City assistant police chief John Hudson said, "As of right now, we are not aware of any connection."