MACHIAS (AP) – The Washington County sheriff has ordered his deputies to cut ties with the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency because of what he said was an agent’s “disturbing” behavior that was captured on a DVD.

Sheriff Donnie Smith says the video, believed to have been recorded in the summer of 2006, shows the agent flashing his badge, drinking a beer and driving off in a car. He would not identify the agent.

The DVD also shows several people, including the agent, discharging weapons and engaging in activity that Smith called “indecent exposure.” Among those on the DVD is a man who was recently convicted and sentenced for possessing child pornography.

Smith said MDEA officials have known about the video but have taken no action.

“The entire agency’s credibility is in question until this is cleared up,” Smith said. “The whole thing is inappropriate. It’s very damaging, I think.”

The agent could be charged with reckless conduct if he was intoxicated while firing a weapon, the sheriff said.

“I think it needs to be investigated,” Smith said. “There should have been criminal charges.”

The sheriff sent a memo to his staff Friday ordering them to suspend operations with the MDEA. County sheriff’s Lt. Dennis Denbow said the department will continue to investigate drug cases when it has information to act upon.

State Public Safety Commissioner Anne Jordan has been told about the DVD. Department spokesman Steve McCausland also said a copy has been turned over to the attorney general.

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Information from: Bangor Daily News, http://www.bangornews.com

AP-ES-02-25-08 0958EST