St Louis, MO - Bruce Gales, owner of Galez Towing and Recovery, Hillsdale police sergeant Christopher Cornell and four area people were indicted on multiple charges involving a multi-kilo drug trafficking conspiracy, United States Attorney Catherine L. Hanaway, Roland Corvington, Special Agent in Charge, FBI-St. Louis and James D. Vickery, Special Agent in Charge, IRS-Criminal Investigation announced today.

“This conspiracy and the huge amount of money it generated represents the lure which causes misguided people to cross the line into crime. We are hopeful that this prosecution will make more people aware of the huge risk that crossing the line creates. This is especially true for the police officer involved in this case. If he is convicted, he will have thrown away his career and all the good he has done, or could have done on the right side of the line. Fortunately, this is the exception and not the rule. Law enforcement is mostly represented by officers and agents like those in this case who worked tirelessly with great dedication and outstanding competence to bring this investigation to the point of indictment,” said Hanaway.

James D. Vickery, Special Agent in Charge of IRS-Criminal Investigation stated, "IRS-CI has the financial investigators and expertise that are critical in locating and seizing the narcotics proceeds and prosecuting the principals involved in illicit drug conspiracies. We were glad to be able to put that to good use in this case.”

The indictment alleges that beginning in January 2005 and continuing to the present time, defendants Robert Wood III, Mark Bonds, Mario Lucas, Christopher L. Jones, Bruce Gales and Christopher Cornell were involved in the distribution of approximately 120 kilograms of cocaine throughout the St. Louis area, realizing approximately $2.4 million in drug proceeds.

Wood, the leader of the organization, would arrange for the transportation. Bonds, Lucas and Jones were local distributors.

As a part of the conspiracy Wood, Bruce Gales and Christopher Cornell, a Hillsdale police officer, would, on occasion, steal cocaine from couriers by arranging for Cornell to arrest the couriers and, while the courier was being processed by Cornell, break into the vehicle and take the cocaine.

The money laundering count of the indictment alleges that in March 2005, Robert Wood and Bruce Gales purchased two motorcycles for $55,750 cash. One was titled to Galez Towing and Recovery and later transferred to Wood’s sister. Bruce Gales later returned it to the dealer for a refund. In April 2005, Robert Wood purchased a Chevrolet Camaro for between $52,000 and $54,000 cash. Wood titled the Camaro to reflect that the purchase was made by his mother for a purchase price of $100.

Finally, on October 2005, Robert Wood purchased a Mercedes-Benz SL-500 in his girlfriend’s name for $75,187, with a trade-in of a Range Rover valued at $40,500, leaving a balance of $34,687. She financed the outstanding balance. All of these transactions were to conceal the nature, location, source and control of the proceeds of the conspiracy, the indictment alleges.

There is also a forfeiture count which seeks a money judgment of $2.4 million and certain specific property, including a 2003 Mercedes Benz, a 2003 Land Rover, several customized cars and over $140,000 in U.S. currency.

All defendants were indicted on one felony count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Defendants charged in the indictment and additional charges are as follows:

• ROBERT WOOD III, a/k/a Bobby Wood, 37, Jennings, MO; one felony count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and a forfeiture count
• MARK BONDS, a/k/a Marco Bonds, 43, Florissant, MO; a forfeiture count
• MARIO LUCAS, a/k/a/ Mooney, 35, Florissant, MO
• CHRISTOPHER L. JONES, O’Fallon, MO
• BRUCE GALES, 36, Florissant, MO; one felony count of attempt to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, one count of use of a communication device to facilitate a felony, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and a forfeiture count
• CHRISTOPHER MARCEL CORNELL, 44, St. Louis, MO, one felony count of attempt to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and one count of use of a communication device to facilitate a felony

If convicted, each defendant faces up to life in prison and/or fines up to $4,000,000.

In addition to the FBI, Hanaway commended the work performed on the case by Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, who assisted with the financial investigation of this case, and Assistant United States Attorney John T Davis, who is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations, and each defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.