MAHONING COUNTY Ex-deputy pleads innocent to charges

The indictment also seeks forfeiture of two vehicles.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Michael Terlecky, a former Mahoning County deputy sheriff, appeared to be in good spirits after spending the weekend and his birthday in the county jail.
Terlecky, who is known as "Beef," pleaded innocent Tuesday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to seven drug trafficking charges.
Terlecky was arrested Friday at his home at 4909 Leffingwell Road, Canfield. He turned 48 on Sunday.
He is accused of selling or trying to sell the painkiller OxyContin seven times between April 7 and Aug. 15. An indictment also asks for forfeiture of a 2002 Suburban and a 2000 Monte Carlo derived from or used in the alleged criminal activity.
Terlecky had pleaded guilty in 1990 to taking mob bribes while a lieutenant in the sheriff's office. Terlecky's lawyer, Don L. Hanni, said Terlecky served about eight months in prison for the federal bribery charge.
Levity
While waiting in court as an official was found to handle the arraignment, Hanni joked to reporters that had he known they were going to be present, he would have worn a better tie.
Terlecky, who was wearing a bright orange prisoner's jumpsuit, said to Hanni, "How about me?"
The hearing was before Magistrate Gene Fehr. Assistant County Prosecutor Dennis Sarisky asked for a $100,000 cash or surety bond. Hanni argued for a $25,000 bond. Fehr set the bond requested by Sarisky.
Members of the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force said that when they executed a search warrant at the house, Terlecky dropped his cane, ran into the house and locked doors before being apprehended in a rear bedroom.
Hanni argued that if officers in plain clothes got out of unmarked cars with shotguns, "I'd be running, too."
The task force said four handguns were found in the house, and that it would pursue federal charges for a felon possessing firearms. Hanni said the weapons belonged to Terlecky's late father.
Terlecky used an aluminum cane in court. Hanni said his client suffered from many illnesses, including diabetes.