“Do not mistake the pretrial release of the defendants,” he said. “That's not to say the case is weak.”

Release of the so-called Rockfish 15 has been for logistical reasons more than any shortcomings in the case, federal court records filed throughout the matter have shown.

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Tripp told commissioners most of those released are under heavy pretrial release rules and most have monitors.

While he did not name the person specifically, Tripp said that one of the defendants has already agreed to a plea is a positive sign.

In a follow-up interview on his comments about the case Tuesday, Tripp explained shortly after his appointment to the office, Chief Deputy Bruce Temple, Major Scott Hall and Captain Anzell Harris, who now leads the City County Drug Task Force, “Came to me with information they received about allegations of police corruption,” within Northampton County prior to Jack Smith's appointment as sheriff. “They were able to substantiate the allegations. All three have had an active part in the case.”

The officers reported their findings to FBI. “It was a sad day for law enforcement,” Tripp said.