cannabisnews.com: Colonel Pleads Guilty in Drug Case





Colonel Pleads Guilty in Drug Case
Posted by FoM on April 18, 2000 at 07:36:22 PT
Around The World
Source: Washington Post
An Army colonel who once commanded the military's anti-drug operation in Colombia pleaded guilty to a federal charge yesterday, admitting that he knew his wife was laundering drug money but failed to turn her in.James Hiett, 48, entered the plea as his wife, Laurie Hiett, sank her face into her hands and sobbed from a bench in the first row of the courtroom.
He faces up to three years in prison and $250,000 in fines when he is sentenced June 23. Federal sentencing guidelines call for him to spend between one year and one and a half years in prison.Hiett said that in April and May 1999, his wife traveled from Bogota, Colombia, to New York City twice and returned with more than $25,000 in cash.In early June 1999, he said he was told by Army investigators that his wife had been sending narcotics from Colombia to New York City. "Prior to that time I did not know my wife was involved in narcotics trafficking," he said. "I then knew that the cash my wife had previously given me came from drug trafficking."In June and July, after he knew of his wife's drug activities, he tried to get rid of the money."I then took the steps to dissipate this cash by paying as many bills as possible in cash and depositing the rest of the cash in our bank accounts," he said.In January, Laurie Hiett pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy charges, admitting she shipped packages containing $700,000 worth of drugs to New York. She is due to be sentenced on April 28.After his plea, Hiett hugged his wife and left the courthouse holding her hand.Hiett, a 24-year Army veteran, remains on active duty at Fort Monroe in Hampton, Va., where he was transferred after his wife was accused of a crime.Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee G. Dunst said Hiett has filed for retirement from the Army.New York:Tuesday , April 18, 2000 ; A07 © 2000 The Washington Post Company Related Articles:US Colonel to Plead Guilty in Colombia Drug Probehttp://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread5283.shtmlWife: Anti-Drug Colonel Knew Nothinghttp://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread4502.shtmlWife of U.S. Army Colonel to Plead Guiltyhttp://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread4386.shtmlLeading Two Lives http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3623.shtml 
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Comment #2 posted by kaptinemo on April 18, 2000 at 18:52:07 PT:
Treason doth never prosper; 
what's the reason? If treason *doth* prosper, none dare call it treason! I forget the name of the English gentleman who first penned those words, but they ought to be tattooed across Barry's forehead so he can see it when he looks in the mirror, to remind him of his folly.When treason doth prosper, the corruption is inescapable. Plata o plomo. Silver or lead. They both chose silver. And how many others, shrieking for an ever wider, deeper, bloodier involvement in the DrugWar are secretly taking cash from the narcos? Really makes you wonder who the enemy is, doesn't it?
[ Post Comment ]

Comment #1 posted by R.Earing on April 18, 2000 at 09:28:27 PT:
Hmm?
So, It's ok for the man running a counter narcotics death squad to pay his bills with drug money? It's ok for a sitting president to traffic in coke to raise money for his sons' presidential campaign? Looks like drug legalization has already arrived, but only for the rich,the connected or the hideously embarrassing. If I go to Yale can I smoke pot?
[ Post Comment ]

Post Comment


Name: Optional Password: 
E-Mail: 
Subject: 
Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message]
Link URL: 
Link Title: