Posted on Thu, Jul. 20, 2006

email this

print this

reprint or license this

6:10 pm | York Co. coroner indicted

DAN HUNTLEY

dhuntley@charlotteobserver.com

York County Coroner Doug McKown was indicted on three drug charges Thursday. McKown was arrested May 17 on charges of possession and conspiracy to distribute cocaine, and unlawful possession of a prescription drug -- "a quantity of Viagra."

McKown was first appointed to the position of coroner in 1994 to fill out a term, and voters kept him in the position ever since. The 37-year-old Republican has been on self-imposed, paid administrative leave since the arrest.

As an elected official, he can only be suspended without pay by a direct order from the governor. As of Thursday evening, Gov. Mark Sanford had not yet made a decision to remove McKown. A spokesman said McKown would be suspended the day the governor's office receives word of an indictment.