ST. LOUIS — An Illinois sheriff charged with trafficking marijuana, including while on duty, will not lose his job unless he’s convicted or resigns, county officials said Wednesday. Federal agents arrested Gallatin County Sheriff Raymond Martin, 46, last month on three counts of marijuana distribution and two counts of carrying a firearm — his service weapon — while trafficking drugs. A grand jury in Benton, Ill., indicted Martin on the charges Tuesday. County Board Chairman Randy Drone said that, as an elected official, Martin was entitled to keep his job and collect his $40,440-a-year salary “until he resigns or is convicted.” Martin also got his $6,500 annual stipend from the state last month.
Nevada: New trucker rules
Out-of-state truckers will have to obtain a temporary trip permit before entering Nevada under a new law that takes effect July 1. The measure applies to commercial vehicles not registered in Nevada with a gross weight rating at or exceeding 10,001 pounds. Previously, truckers could enter the state and purchase a permit at the first available vendor. Under the new law, the permits must be bought beforehand. Another law imposes new penalties for failing to properly declare vehicle weights.
Ohio: Killer is executed
A man who burned a woman alive in the trunk of her car was executed on Wednesday in Ohio’s first death by lethal injection since the state revised its protocol on the procedure. Daniel Wilson, 39, was sentenced to death for the 1991 slaying of acquaintance Carol Lutz, 24. He locked Lutz in the trunk of her car and set it on fire after they spent several hours drinking together at a bar. “I’m very sorry for what I did to Carol, and to my family, I’m sorry things turned out this way,” Wilson said in a final statement. “I believe in Jesus. He’s my lord and savior, and I’m coming home.”
Maine: Fisher convicted
Maine fisherman and author Linda Greenlaw, who survived the nor’easter that was the basis for the book and movie “The Perfect Storm,” has been convicted on charges of illegally fishing in Canadian waters. Greenlaw was convicted May 30 in St. John’s, Newfoundland. The 48-year-old Greenlaw was arrested in September when her vessel crossed Canada’s 200-mile limit. The prosecution is seeking a fine of $45,000, plus catch seized. The defense is recommending a lesser fine.
Massachusetts: Gay studies
Harvard University is creating a visiting professorship in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender studies with a $1.5 million gift from the Harvard Gay and Lesbian Caucus. A past president of the Caucus, said Wednesday he believed the professorship will be the first specifically for sexuality or sexual minorities in the United States. The University of Louisville has a chair in race, class, gender and sexuality studies named for lesbian poet Audre Lorde. Harvard’s president said the professorship was “an important milestone” for LGBT studies.
North Carolina: Ad for rape
Police have arrested a man and accused him of using the online advertising service Craigslist to enlist another man to rape his wife. The 25-year-old Kannapolis husband faces first-degree rape and other charges. The man was arrested after police responded to a 911 call early Sunday. On it, the woman said a man armed with a knife assaulted her in her home. Police said the woman’s husband was in the room. Police said the husband arranged the rape using online ads.
Mexico: Airline grounded
Mexico has temporarily grounded Aviacsa airline after officials reported irregularities in the maintenance of 25 planes. The Transportation and Communications Department said the airline has 60 days to fix the problems. The action Tuesday effectively shut operations at the airline, which says it has a fleet of 26 planes serving 17 Mexican cities and Las Vegas. The department said the problems put passengers at risk. Aviacsa denied safety problems.
North Korea: Reporter trial
Two American journalists accused of entering North Korea illegally and engaging in “hostile acts” faced the country’s highest court today for a trial on charges that could land them up to 10 years in a labor camp. Laura Ling and Euna Lee, reporters for California-based Current TV, were arrested March 17 near the North Korean border while on a reporting trip to China. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has called the charges against them “baseless.”
From Herald news services
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