ROANOKE, VA. — A former sheriff pleaded not guilty yesterday to federal charges that he took part with 12 former and current officers in a scheme to sell drugs seized from criminals.

H. Franklin Cassell was arraigned in U.S. District Court along with two Henry County sheriff’s deputies and a captain, all of whom pleaded not guilty in the racketeering conspiracy. Arraignments for the remaining defendants were set through tomorrow.

Since 1998, prosecutors said, cocaine, steroids, marijuana, and other drugs seized by the sheriff’s department have been resold to the public.

Mr. Cassell was glad to get moving with his defense, his lawyer, John Lichtenstein, said, noting that defense attorneys have a substantial amount of government evidence to review.

The indictment returned October 31 said Mr. Cassell, 68, looked the other way as officers sold drugs seized in criminal investigations and stole guns and other evidence. He is charged with impeding federal agents’ investigation and money laundering.

If convicted, Mr. Cassell faces up to 53 years in prison and a $1.25 million fine.

Charges against the other defendants include racketeering conspiracy, narcotics distribution, weapons counts, obstruction of justice, and perjury.

A former sergeant, James Alden Vaught, agreed to cooperate with investigators. His planned guilty plea yesterday was delayed because his lawyer was ill, Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Bondurant said.