March 3, 2011 - 5:07pm
Former DPS officer pleads guilty to cocaine possession
BY DEVON THORSBY
Former University Department of Public Safety officer Charles Beatty III plead guilty to cocaine possession in the Washtenaw County Court in front of Judge Donald Shelton, court officials confirmed.
Beatty, 42, was arrested in Ypsilanti on the night of Jan. 13 for cocaine possession and having an open container of alcohol in his vehicle at the time.
Beatty was off duty at the time of his arrest.
Following his release, Beatty was placed on unpaid administrative leave from DPS, and his employment ended on Feb. 9 in an undisclosed manner.
Prior to his arrest, Beatty was followed by members of the Livingston and Washtenaw Narcotics Enforcement Team for about six weeks after they received an anonymous tip and consulted with DPS.
According to the police report, Beatty’s suspicious activity recorded by the officer following him the night of Jan. 13 led to his arrest.
Steve Hiller, Washtenaw County chief deputy assistant prosecutor, told AnnArbor.com that many defendants who plead guilty to drug charges like Beatty’s as first-time offenders are placed on probation.
Beatty’s sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 19 in front of Judge Shelton at the Washtenaw County Trial Court.
