Gainesville, Florida - Thomas F. Kirwin, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced today the indictment of three former Dixie County officials, Willie Dewey Keen, Jr. (59 ), John Lee Driggers (60 ), and Alton James Land (67). The men are charged with solicitation of bribes in connection with business pending before the Dixie County Board of County Commissioners, for conspiracy to commit that offense, and for making false statements during the course of a federal investigation, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 371, 666(a)(1)(B), and 1001(a).

The indictment alleges that in 2006, while Keen was serving as the Building and Zone Inspector for Dixie County, and Driggers and Land were serving as County Commissioners, the three men conspired to accept things of value with the intent to be influenced and rewarded in connection with transactions before the Dixie County Board of County Commissioners. Specifically, the indictment alleges that the conspirators offered their approval for developments within Dixie County in exchange for money and other inducements, and attempted to influence members of the Board of County Commissioners to obtain their approval for these developments.

Driggers and Land are also charged with one count of making false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Keen is charged with two counts of this offense.

If convicted, Driggers, Land, and Keen, face a maximum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment for conspiracy (Count One), a maximum of 10 years’ imprisonment for the substantive offense of soliciting bribes (Count Two), and a maximum of 5 years’ imprisonment on each count of making false statements.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Gregory P. McMahon.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.