Sheriff's Department receives check for March 2011 drug stop

Friday, July 20, 2012
The Putnam County Sheriff's Department receives a check for $31,551 from U.S. Attorney Joe Hogsett (right), drug money that was seized in a traffic stop on Interstate 70 in March 2011. Accepting the check are (from left) Chief Deputy Tom Helmer and Sheriff Steve Fenwick.

The Putnam County Sheriff's Department was presented with a $31,551 check from U.S. Attorney Joseph Hogsett on this week, money that was seized during a drug arrest in March 2011.

A traffic stop on I-70, part of a collaborative investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and PCSD, turned up the cash.

"My job is to thank the Putnam County Sheriff's Department for their good work," Hogsett said Tuesday. "You (the taxpayers) are getting better law enforcement and taxpayers aren't paying for it, the drug dealers are."

As the money went unclaimed, typical with drug seizures, it was secured, reviewed by the United States Congress and processed.

Eighty percent of the money was then returned to the arresting department, PCSD.

Sheriff Steve Fenwick said he was unsure just how the money would be spent, but suggested one option would be to purchase a new car for the department.

Hogsett said he trusts PCSD to put the money to good use. He also called the program a "win-win-win."

Those three victories, he said, are taking drug profits from dealers, giving the money to a local department, and funding better law enforcement without taxpayer money.

"These complex federal prosecutions are a true team effort, and they wouldn't be possible without the cooperation of Sheriff Fenwick and his deputies," Hogsett said in a press release. "I thank them for their service, and a I look forward to more of these presentations in the coming years."

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  • Didn't they just ask for more money for gas? How about gas!

    -- Posted by Ed46135 on Fri, Jul 20, 2012, at 7:07 AM
  • Would that make them possibly getting THREE cars, after asking the commissioners for money for TWO Cars? How about Gas? You're spot on Ed46135. I am glad to see that the Sheriff IS at work, even if it was just to get his picture taken.haha

    -- Posted by putcocvb on Fri, Jul 20, 2012, at 8:15 AM
  • Ed46135 & Stealthmode, you both fail to realize the underlying story here...The Putnam County Sheriffs Department seized drug money in March of 2011 and put a drug dealer in prison!! The money went through the proper chains and was then released (80%) back to them for their work.

    They have solved the fuel issue and revamped the budget to reflect our current economy. This $31,551 is EXTRA money and should be able to be spent on what ever the Sheriff's Department choses to do. You might re-read again for a third time and notice that Sheriff Fenwick said he was unsure what the money would be spent on but suggested that a new vehicle MIGHT be an option.

    I see you both comment on every story, and every time you both sound like idiots.

    Nice job PCSD on getting a drug dealer out of our county and getting some extra money for the department! Nice work!

    -- Posted by hahahaha on Fri, Jul 20, 2012, at 8:37 AM
  • Thank you "hahahaha" for praising and encouraging our police department, who also put their lives on the line to secure the safety of this county. More considerate, articulate, intelligent and encouraging posts from people like you would go a long way in building up pride to live in this county.

    -- Posted by marvel_s_lee_blessed on Fri, Jul 20, 2012, at 10:53 AM
  • I don't believe anything was said about not appreciating the police departments. Department heads need to be fiscally responsible. Great that they received $31,000.00. Great that they put a drug dealer away. So before you call someone an idiot, you might want to think twice. I for one DO understand budgets, as well as the prison system. DO YOU? Have you worked inside a prison before? So I suggest before you call people idiots again, you THINK TWICE!!!!!! Do you understand the word fudiciary responsibility? No I hardly ever commented before until I read some of these "idiotic" stories.

    -- Posted by putcocvb on Fri, Jul 20, 2012, at 11:57 AM
  • Surprised the red tape could be cut through this quick to get the money. Good deal. Glad to always see money come into the coffers at the hands of dope dealers. We all thank them for their contribution!

    -- Posted by purple_heat on Sun, Jul 22, 2012, at 1:49 PM
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