U.S. Agents’ Actions in Botched Raid Face Probe

A federal grand jury has been impaneled to investigate the actions of U.S. agents who shot a Poway man during a botched drug raid late last month and who accused a deputy county marshal of dealing large amounts of cocaine, The Times has learned.

In both cases, U.S. Customs agents relied on the word of an informant whom Drug Enforcement Administration officials consider to be untrustworthy. The informant is also under investigation.

Federal prosecutors confirmed the grand jury investigation Wednesday. U.S. Atty. William Braniff said it focuses on drug violations and on “false statements (made) to the government.”

It is a federal crime in certain circumstances to give government offices or agents false information.

Sources familiar with the grand jury examination said it also will investigate actions of federal agents in at least two drug raids.

Acting on a tip that the home of Donald Lee Carlson, a 41-year-old Poway executive, contained cocaine and machine guns, agents with search warrants demanded to enter the home shortly after midnight Aug. 26.

During an exchange of gunfire, Carlson was hit in the arm, leg and chest. He is still recovering. A customs agent sustained superficial wounds.

Braniff announced two days later that Carlson would not be charged in the shooting. No drugs were found at his home.

The day Carlson was shot, officials from customs and the U.S. attorney’s office also accused Deputy County Marshal Michelle Jones of using her Poway home as a “drop house.”

Jones permitted customs agents to search her home, two garages, a van and all-terrain vehicles. No drugs were found and Jones said she has been cleared.

But she, her husband, Tony, and a friend were all subpoenaed to testify before a federal grand jury in San Diego.