Trumbull Co. officials expected to OK 2 grants

Staff report

WARREN

Trumbull County commissioners are expected today to approve two federal grants that will fund the county’s drug-crimes task force.

The Trumbull Ashtabula Group Law Enforcement Task Force has been awarded a federal JAG grant of $97,750 and a $130,333 Byrne Memorial Grant for 2012.

The grants require a local contribution of $32,583, but TAG plans to provide that money through funds confiscated by its agents during investigations.

When individuals are charged with certain drug crimes, their indictment frequently indicates that certain assets secured during the investigation are to be forfeited by the suspect upon conviction.

Those are the assets that will make up the $32,583, officials said.

In addition to the forfeiture funds and grants, the Trumbull County Sheriff’s Office contributes some funds out of its budget to pay salaries of some of the officers employed by TAG, said Ernie Cook, chief deputy of the Sheriff’s Office.

Cook said he didn’t know how much comes from the sheriff’s office, however.

TAG has been in operation since 2002.