COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Former Lee County Sheriff E.J. Melvin has been indicted on 47 new charges that prosecutors say are part of a drug conspiracy case.
U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles said Wednesday that the new charges against Melvin range from racketeering and drug conspiracy to money laundering and lying to agents.
Nettles says Melvin also has been charged with extorting kickbacks from drug dealers and spending thousands in public funds on himself.
Melvin was arrested in May along with 11 others and charged with conspiring to deal drugs. Prosecutors have said they expect all but Melvin to plead guilty. Several have already entered guilty pleas.
Jack Swerling, Melvin's attorney, did not immediately respond to an e-mail message. His office says he is on vacation.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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