Published: June 08, 2009 11:28 pm      

Rowan deputy’s trial scheduled for July

ASHLAND — A Rowan County sheriff’s deputy accused of trafficking in prescription drugs is scheduled to stand trial next month in federal court in Ashland.

U.S. District Judge David L. Bunning has set a July 13 trial date for Roger Lee Holbrook.

Holbrook, 56, chief deputy for the Rowan sheriff’s department and former head of campus security at Morehead State University, was arrested last month by Kentucky State Police troopers and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents on a federal indictment warrant charging him with conspiracy to distribute oxycodone, attempting to aid and abet in the distribution of oxycodone and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

He could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison if he is convicted.

According to court records, Holbrook allegedly conspired with others to “knowingly and intentionally” distribute pills containing oxycodone in Rowan County on April 14, 2008, and in Bath County on July 24 and Nov. 3.

During the July 24 incident, Holbrook also allegedly possessed a loaded .38-caliber revolver, the indictment states.

Also, court records show Holbrook’s case is related to that of another Rowan County man who recently pleaded guilty to drug-trafficking crimes.

Frank Edward Prince Jr., 63, pleaded guilty in March to two counts of a six-count indictment charging him with drug and weapons crimes. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 15 in Ashland.

Prince pleaded guilty to distribution of oxycodone and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime. The other charges were dismissed under the terms of his plea agreement.

By pleading guilty, Prince admitted he sold OxyContin to a confidential informant on four separate occasions in January, February and March of 2008 at his residence in Morehead, according to records. During those transactions, he kept a loaded .38-caliber revolver in a bowl on a table and also made reference to having other guns in his house.

Prince sold a total of 159 OxyContin tablets to the informant for $6,000.

Court records do not go into detail regarding the connection between Prince and Holbrook.

Rowan County Sheriff Jack Carter suspended Holbrook without pay following his arrest.

In a statement released after Holbrook’s arrest, Carter said Holbrook had an “exemplary” law-enforcement career with his department and with MSU. Holbrook joined the sheriff’s department 15 years ago after retiring from the university.

Carter also said he was unaware of Holbrook being involved in any illegal activities, and Holbrook would be fired if he is convicted or if is determined he engaged in activities that were “questionable.”

KENNETH HART can be reached at khart@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2654.