05:58 PM EST on Tuesday, December 21, 2004

Reported by: Doug Aronson

A suspended Virginia Beach police officer was in court Tuesday afternoon on a drug charge. He's now arranging bail following his arraignment.

Jason Armentrout, 30, was arrested Saturday night as part of a bigger drug crackdown in the resort city. Police say Armentrout was off duty and bought the drug ecstasy.

He's been suspended while the investigation goes forward. He's been on the force for nearly three years.

Earlier Tuesday, a judge dismissed a public intoxication charge against a man who was arrested last month by Armentrout. A second case is also in jeopardy, 13News has learned.

Commonwealth's Attorney Harvery Bryant said a police officer's credibility is the strongest thing he's got going for him. And when that goes, often the cases go too.