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Officers Disciplined In Wake Of Drug Investigation
Federal Agents Say Officers Purchased Steroids Through Internet
TheHometownChannel.com
October 5, 2004
VAN BUREN, Ark. -- The Van Buren Police Department disciplined two of its
officers Monday on allegations of illegal drug use.
On Sept. 20, the department was notified of a U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement Agency investigation concerning a pair of Van Buren officers.
The agency said the officers were under investigation for allegedly
purchasing anabolic steroids through the Internet.
Van Buren police refused to release the names of the two officers involved
in the case.
The officers have 10 days to appeal this case. Officials would not say
what disciplinary actions were taken against the officers.
[Link]
Drug Investigation Leads To Police Officer's Firing
Former Van Buren Officer Accused Of Buying Steroids Through Internet
September 20, 2004
TheHometownChannel.com
VAN BUREN, Ark. -- A drug investigation has led to the firing of a Van
Buren police officer, officials said Monday.
Van Buren police Chief Kenneth Bell said the officer was relieved of his
duties on Sept. 14 after allegations surfaced that he purchased steroids
over the Internet.
Police department officials have not released the man's name. Bell would
only confirm that he was a patrol officer.
Bell said the officer was not arrested and has not been formally charged.
The case has been handed over to the FBI.
[Link]
Van Buren Officer Suspended With Pay
By John Lyon
September 21, 2004
The Times Record
A Van Buren police officer has been suspended with pay while federal
authorities investigate the officer, Police Chief Kenneth Bell said
Monday.
“On Sept. 14, I relieved an officer of duty pending a federal
investigation into the importation of steroids,” Bell said. He said
the officer being investigated is a patrol officer but would not
release the officer’s name.
Bell said he suspended the officer after a representative of
Immigration and Customs Enforcement contacted him and informed him
of the investigation. At this time the officer has not been charged
with any criminal activity, he said.
Bell said that when the investigation is complete, he will hold an
informal hearing and decide whether to take disciplinary action. The
Police Department is not currently conducting an internal
investigation into the matter, he said.
No other officers with the department have been identified as
subjects of the investigation, Bell said. He did not know whether
federal authorities were investigating anyone else in the community.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials could not be reached
for comment Monday.
Officers’ fired upheld
KENNETH FRY
Press Argus-Courier
November 3, 2004
The firing of Van Buren police officer Travis Sharp, accused of buying
illegal steroids over the Internet, has been upheld by the Civil Service
Commission.
In a unanimous decision Wednesday night, the five-member commission upheld
Police Chief Kenneth Bell’s Oct. 1 firing of Sharp following three and
one-half hours of testimony and one hour and 15 minutes of deliberation.
“I am glad this is over,” Bell said, “but not pleased that I had to
terminate a young man.”
Sharp shook hands with the police chief following the appeal hearing and
before leaving the Municipal Complex with family and friends.
Chairman Kevin Bell said the commission voted to ask the police chief to
reconsider his decision and terminate Sgt. Frank Petray, who testified at
the hearing that he gave Sharp $250 to purchase steroids for him.
When Sharp was fired, Chief Bell gave Petray a 30-day suspension without
pay. Petray is to return to work on Monday as a patrol sergeant for the
evening shift.
City Attorney Candice Settle-Beshears said no further action can be taken
against Petray once he has served his suspension and “there will be none.”
Sharp was first placed on leave with pay, then fired, after the police
chief received information Sharp was being investigated by Immigration and
Customs Enforcement agents following the seizure of illegal steroids in
New Orleans which Sharp had ordered while at the police academy, Bell
testified Wednesday.
Bell said Sharp was hired in April 2003, attended the academy from July to
September 2003 and was in national guard training from September to
December 2003 before rejoining the department.
At an Oct. 1 hearing, Sharp admitted he ordered muscle building
supplements, but denied knowing they were illegal steroids, Bell
testified. However, Bell said Sharp said he knew something was wrong when
the shipment was seized by federal agents.
Bell also testified that Sharp then went to other websites and made
further purchases.
Sharp testified he did not know the supplements he was purchasing were
illegal and did not know why the federal agents seized the shipment.
“I did not intend to order anything illegal,” Sharp said. “I thought they
were totally legal substances. There was nothing on the sites to indicate
they were illegal.”
Beshears asked Sharp if he had been trained that ignorance of the law is
not an excuse.
“I agree if I bought steroids, I broke the law,” Sharp said. “If in fact
they were steroids ... there has been no proof I know of.”
Petray testified he and Sharp became friends outside the job in March and
began to work out at the gym.
“Travis talked about his own personal use of steroids which benefited his
strength,” Petray said. “Travis told me he was going to order steroids. We
had been talking about steroids and how they can make you stronger and
give you a better physique.”
Petray said he gave Sharp $250 on Sept. 1 to order steroids.
“I asked Travis if he had any evidence of steroid use in his home,” Petray
testified, “and when he told me he had some syringes I advised him to
throw them away, which to my knowledge he did.”
Sharp’s attorney, Ron Metcalf, said Sharp made a “very, very stupid
decision in getting involved in steroids.” However, Metcalf said Sharp
should have received the same punishment as Petray.
“Kenny Bell had to make a decision,” Beshears said. “The question is did
he make a fair decision to uphold the image and creditability of the Van
Buren Police Department while doing what was best for the City of Van
Buren.”
Metcalf said Sharp should be put back to work and that he would resign if
he is charged by the federal government.
“We are not here to prove Travis Sharp committed a crime,” Beshears said.
“We are here to present the evidence Bell considered when he made his
decision and decide if his action was reasonable. You will have a problem
with the Van Buren Police Department if you put him back to work and he is
arrested tomorrow.”
Metcalf countered that Petray embarrassed the police department more since
he was a supervisor.
Beshears pointed out the appeal hearing was scheduled to only consider the
action taken against Sharp.
“Frank with 10 years of dedicated service has been upfront about his
involvement,” Beshears said. “He made a mistake and he will live with it.”
In addition to Kevin Bell, other Civil Service Commission members are
Karen Pharis, Gene Bell, Lindsey Actkinson and John Bell.
Officer fired, another suspended
By KENNETH FRY
October 13, 2004
Press Argus-Courier
A Van Buren police officer fired in a federal investigation into the importation of illegal steroids has appealed his
termination.
Patrolman Travis Sharp was fired and patrol Sgt. Frank Petray was given a 30-day suspension without pay on Oct.
2 following an informal hearing the previous day, according to Van Buren police Cpl. Rob Rogers.
Petray has until Tuesday to appeal his suspension to the Civil Service Commission, Rogers said.
Van Buren City Attorney Candice Settle-Beshears said the hearing for Sharp, who is represented by Fort Smith
attorney Ron Metcalf, must be scheduled within 15 days unless the date is extended upon the agreement of the
attorneys involved.
It is the responsibility of commission chairman Kevin Bell to call the hearing, Settle-Beshears said. The hearing
will be open to the public. Other commission members are Karen Pharis, John Bell, Lindsey Actkinson and Gene Bell.
Sharp was placed on paid leave on Sept. 14 after a representative of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement notified
Police Chief Kenneth Bell that Sharp was the subject of an investigation of illegal steroids.
Rogers said Petray’s suspension was related to the federal investigation, which the ICE is continuing.
No state or federal charges have been filed against either Sharp or Petray.
The officers’ names were released under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. How the officers are connected
to the investigation is not known since ICE officials will not comment on an ongoing investigation.
Rogers would not say why Sharp was fired and Petray only suspended.
“Those details are not included under FOI,” Settle-Beshears said. “Job performance records are only open to the
public after the appeal process.”
Sharp was hired by the police department in April 2003. Petray has been with the department since September 1993.
[Link]
Hearing scheduled
by KENNETH FRY
Press Argus-Courier
October 20, 2004
The appeal of a Van Buren police officer fired in a federal investigation
into the importation of illegal steroids will be heard Wednesday, Oct. 27.
Van Buren City Attorney Candice Settle-Beshears said the Civil Service
Commission hearing for Patrolman Travis Sharp, who is represented by Fort
Smith attorney Ron Metcalf, will begin at 6 p.m. in the city council room
of the Municipal Complex.
Sharp was fired and patrol Sgt. Frank Petray was given a 30-day suspension
without pay on Oct. 2 following an informal hearing the previous day,
according to Van Buren police Cpl. Rob Rogers.
Petray has not appealed his suspension to the Civil Service Commission.
Sharp’s hearing will be open to the public.
Commission members are Chairman Kevin Bell, Karen Pharis, John Bell,
Lindsey Actkinson and Gene Bell.
Sharp was placed on paid leave on Sept. 14 after a representative of
Immigrations and Customs Enforcement notified Police Chief Kenneth Bell
that Sharp was the subject of an investigation of illegal steroids.
Rogers said Petray’s suspension was related to the federal investigation,
which the ICE is continuing. How the officers are connected to the
investigation is not known since ICE officials will not comment on an
ongoing investigation.
No state or federal charges have been filed against either Sharp or
Petray.
Police have never said why Sharp was fired and Petray only suspended.
“Those details are not included under FOI,” Settle-Beshears said. “Job
performance records are only open to the public after the appeal process.”
Sharp was hired by the police department in April 2003. Petray has been
with the department since September 1993.
Petray’s personnel file, which was released last week, states the sergeant
allegedly conspired to purchase illegal steroids. Petray also violated
eight department policies and procedures including failure in reporting
violations or laws on or around Sept. 1, letters in his personnel file
state.
Petray’s file also shows an award for officer of the year in 2002 and a
certificate of appreciation for his outstanding performance in serving 100
or more warrants throughout the year of 2002.
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[Definitie:] "An ergogenic aid is any substance or phenomenon that enhances performance."
(Wilmore and Costill) 
