Bust nets former officer

RHODESVILLE - A former Florence police officer who was convicted of trafficking cocaine was arrested early Friday, along with his wife and two other people, at his residence when a search warrant was executed by the Lauderdale County Drug Task Force.

Harold Prince White, 54, 6180 Lauderdale 189, in the Rhodesville community, west of Florence, was charged with trafficking methamphetamine, second-degree possession of marijuana, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and certain persons forbidden to have possession of a firearm, said Myron Crunk, director of the drug task force.

Crunk said also arrested was White's wife, Elizabeth Carroll White, 30, same address, for unlawful possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. Debra Lanier, 33, 8375 Lauderdale 189, Florence, was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance and Jerry Glen Clemons, 37, 317 N. Fulton St., Florence, was arrested on outstanding warrants and on first-degree receiving stolen property.

Task force agent Chuck Hearn said the arrests were the result of an investigation that had been ongoing for several months.

"We had gotten information on possible illegal drug activity at the residence," Hearn said. "We started watching the residence and were able to get enough evidence for a search warrant."

Along with members of the Florence Police Special Operations Unit, the task force executed the search warrant at White's residence around 1:30 a.m. Friday.

Members of the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office and Florence police assisted in the operation.

Authorities said agents found 40 grams of meth, 43 guns, $10,800 in cash, a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Hearn said the meth was found inside a Frito corn chips can, which was in the bedroom. The money was also found in the bedroom.

Agents said the guns were scattered throughout the house.

White spent three years as a patrolman with the Florence Police Department in the late 1980s. He was found guilty of trafficking cocaine May 2, 2007, and was sentenced to 15 years in prison June 8, 2007.

Courthouse officials said White had appealed the jury's verdict and was out of jail on an appeal bond of $75,000.

During a special bond revocation hearing Friday, Circuit Judge Mike Jones revoked the appeal bond.

Florence attorney Tim Case represented White in the appeal process and represented him during Friday's revocation hearing.

According to courthouse officials, White's conviction has been affirmed by the Alabama Court of Appeals, but it has not been certified. Officials said once the certificate of judgement is issued, White will be sent to state prison.

Records indicate White was arrested at the auto body shop he operated in the Rhodesville community after selling 2 ounces of cocaine to an undercover informant March 23, 2002.

White is being held in the Lauderdale County Detention Center without bail. His wife was released on bail totaling $3,500, as was Clemons. Lanier was released on bail of $2,500.

Tom Smith can be reached at 740-5757 or tom.smith@TimesDaily.com.