Officer's daughter gets probation in drug case / LJWorld.com

Archive for Wednesday, May 17, 2006

J-W Staff Reports

May 17, 2006

The daughter of a former Lawrence Police Department captain has been sentenced to two years of probation for her role in a drug trafficking operation.

Erin Harmon, 25, was sentenced Monday in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kan., for having knowledge of money laundering but failing to report it. Also sentenced was co-defendant Lamar Johnson, 31, Olathe, who received 18 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine at 2709 Ponderosa.

Harmon is the daughter of Kevin Harmon, who retired earlier this year as a Lawrence Police captain.

Erin Harmon admitted in a plea that her boyfriend, Darren D. Wilburn, 31, regularly gave her cash to pay for child support, court costs in criminal cases and vehicle rentals.

Wilburn has entered a plea to conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and conspiracy to launder money, but he is seeking to withdraw the plea.

Another co-defendant, Evann A. Hardy, 23, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine.

Discussion

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17 May 2006
at 4:08 a.m.

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DownHomeDude (Anonymous) says…

Its hard to believe that the U.S. District Attorney's Office

actually accepts and prosecutes these petty cases

that state courts can and do handle! It amazes me

that the police actually want someone prosecuted in

federal court just for selling a $20.00 crack rock. As

taxpayers, I don't think its right that we should have to

pay to keep someone incarcerated for the next ten years

just because they sold some crack. The so-called drug

war has been and always will be a no win situation.

The bottom line is that it is time to give it up. Lets face

reality folks, the drug war is a lost cause.

DHD
17 May 2006
at 8:33 a.m.

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smitty (Anonymous) says…

Ms Harmon must be somewhat pleased that she is not convicted for her father's *persuasive* role. Not the first time daddy Harmon obstructed justice as Olin's #2 man.

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2006/jan…

***”Because Harmon is a captain in the Lawrence police department and because he is the defendant's father, he has obvious interests in this matter,” Vratil wrote in a footnote. “For this reason, and because of clear inconsistencies in his testimony, his testimony is not altogether persuasive.”

Harmon, who oversees the department's training unit, is one of six Lawrence Police captains who are second in command only to Chief Ron Olin. LPD officials declined comment about the issue because of the pending case.***

But not to fear. the lpd 2nd in command responds with his retirement.

***J-W Staff Reports

Thursday, March 30, 2006

Lawrence Police Capt. Kevin Harmon, a 27-year veteran of the department, will officially retire Saturday. His last day on the job was March 18.*** He had been eligible for retirement for two years but decides now is the time.

The real small town story hear is how daddy retired when he got caught doing the lpd shuffle. One more of the corrupt Olinites retires with full retirement. Ain't the wall of silence just dandy?
17 May 2006
at 9:19 a.m.

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Rhoen (Anonymous) says…

Another example of uneven “justice” in Douglas County - It's not what you know, but who you know. And who's yer daddy.
17 May 2006
at 9:54 a.m.

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Iwanttosaythis (Anonymous) says…

wat to go daddy (daddy,daddy,daddy,daddy,daddy)
17 May 2006
at 11:01 a.m.

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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…

“Send lawyers, guns and money….

Dad, get me out of here!”

Warren Zevon

“Lawyers, Guns And Money”

Thanks.

Marion.
17 May 2006
at 12:19 p.m.

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OldEnuf2BYurDad (Anonymous) says…

Down H. Dude said “It amazes me that the police actually want someone prosecuted in federal court just for selling a $20.00 crack rock” (with some unnecessary double-spacing).

I wonder if the people who live on Ponderosa agree with you? I nearly purchased a house in that area, but didn't because the house next to it had a repuation for drug activity (it may have been the same house). This is not about one $20 rock, this is about the long list of hazards that exist when there are crack dealers living among us and our families.
17 May 2006
at 1:30 p.m.

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Motivation (Anonymous) says…

Okay, as I said before…Lawrence DOES have a drug problem. The lpd does have corruption. However, there is corruption everywhere you turn. My only hope is that Ms. Harmon has learned her lesson and enjoys her freedom while Darren takes the consequences for everyone else.

Yes, dealing drugs is bad. However, at least the man is willing to admit doing wrong and accepts the consequences for his actions. If you ask around…Darren is and never has been violent. He is a solid role model for his younger brothers and sisters, who he takes care of along with all of his children.

I agree completely with the first comment on this article. The drug war will never end. This case is a perfect example of young women attempting to get away with illegal activities, then pleading victim when they are caught. I hope the court sees the honesty in Darren's defense and allows him to rebuild his life to where he has always wanted it to be.

17 May 2006
at 2:22 p.m.

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crazyks (Anonymous) says…

A solid role model that sells drugs going to other people's young children? Is that the kind of role model you want for your own children?

Why doesn't he get an honest job, if he's such a moral person?
17 May 2006
at 2:33 p.m.

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Motivation (Anonymous) says…

Probably because Lawrence society only pays minimum wage to any local resident that does not have a degree. And how can you judge anyone? His children were taken care of. If the drugs sold went to other people's children, then those people should look at their parenting techniques. And for your information he DID have a full-time job that didn't provide enough money to support his children and give a stable life.

No one should judge another person without ALL the facts. Television has glamourized drug dealing into the belief that it's all about gang-banging. Alot of times it's just about survival. Unfortunately, the US society still has a problem with financially challenged people who don't have enough money to go to school. However, motivation is an easy word to say, ambition an easy word to talk about, and both words are harder to perform than mention.

Anything else, crazyks??
17 May 2006
at 3:56 p.m.

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Motivation (Anonymous) says…

I don't remember reading anywhere that ANYONE mentioned in this article was picked up close to a school zone??? Drug ring??? Where are the others involved. This case involves two females, upset that they got caught, and two males. How is a judge being soft on drug dealers when Darren hasn't even been sentenced yet? And make no mistake, Darren is the one McAtee is truly after and attempting to make his career off of.
17 May 2006
at 3:57 p.m.

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cowboy (Anonymous) says…

Drug dealers SUCK , they are too lazy too work for a living , thats it , simple. If they wanted to go to school they could no matter how poor. Actually the poorer you are the better for finaincial aid. Ive seen too many deaths and ruined lives from this crap and they should all be taken out and flogged in public.
17 May 2006
at 3:59 p.m.

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Motivation (Anonymous) says…

I am more real than you would ever think “offtotheright.” And I DO have a degree. So maybe you might want to sway to the left a little and catch the concept.
17 May 2006
at 4:38 p.m.

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unite2revolt (Anonymous) says…

Did I miss something or does NCS require a degree now? There are lots of jobs in Lawrence that pay better than minimum wage that do not require a degree. Mine pays 32K+ a year and I don't have a degree (yet).

I agree that this is not about $20 dollars worth of crack the guy was using drug money to pay his child support, rent cars, and ironically pay court fees for his other crimes. The guy belongs behind bars. 18 months seems light even. As for the girl, tough break, hopefully she can avoid violating the terms of her probation.
17 May 2006
at 7:46 p.m.

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Motivation (Anonymous) says…

I no longer live in Lawrence and yeah, NCS is about the only place in Lawrence to get paid a decent wage if you can make it through all the layoffs.

I agree, Darren was wrong to use drug money to pay for other fines. However, my point is that does he have to stay behind bars for 25 years for a $20 piece of crack? People selling ICE don't get that long and that is definitely a more serious drug. If he's willing to admit to his wrongful doing, should we put a potential positive addition to the public away for the rest of his life? He has the potential to rehabilitate. Seems a little harsh to me. And the eight-month sentence was for another party involved.
18 May 2006
at 1:24 p.m.

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four20 (Anonymous) says…

lets face it.. people aren't going to stop selling. it's quick money in your pocket. and darren has been in jail wayyyy longer than 18 months already cuz his *itch got him locked up for something completely different. yeh thats my homeboy, so i don't know what this paper is trying to say. erin and evann are the ones that need to be going to prison. they aren't good people like darren

18 May 2006
at 1:52 p.m.

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crazyks (Anonymous) says…

Are you guys nuts? I've been pretty low in my life financially many times, and I never turned to selling drugs to make a living. Whether you agree with it or not, it's against the law. And other people's children DO get hurt in the process.

You might as well be saying he's a great dad, he supports his kids, he just happens to sell kiddie porn online. Yeah, it's against the law, but he doesn't use it himself, he just supplies it for those who do. So he's perfectly harmless, a great person, and should get away with it because of that.
19 May 2006
at 12:42 p.m.

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dejady (Anonymous) says…

Corrupt P.D.? In Lawrence, Kansas?? No, couldn't be. I thought it was just the Sheriffs Dept., the D.A.s office and the judges themselves. Years ago I recieved a traffic ticket when I was driving my H.S. boyfriends car. His dad “took care” of it…..now his dad is on the “Former Mayors” list in Lawrence. I had a close friend whose father was the mayor. Seems the mayor was driving home after a party. He had had a “few too many”. A piece of cake he was taking home slid across the dashboard of his car. He tried to grab it and wrapped the car around a lightpole. He got out of the car and walked home. When a neighbor called the police, they went to the mayors home. They just wanted to be sure he was O.K…………end of story…no citations. It's not what you know, but WHO you know–or who you ARE. I could go on. How about the former city commisioner stopped on campus for erratic driving. He didn't even know where he was… No problem….. Just follow him home. What about the former Ass't D.A.(still a practicing atty. today) who “rolled big ones” while he was being a “couch potato” or hosting a party? Lawrence has had at least two “justice systems” for many, many years. I doubt if it will change much in the future..
19 May 2006
at 10:48 p.m.

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Motivation (Anonymous) says…

Yeah, “four20,” that's exactly what I'm saying. The females are getting off free and Darren is taking all the consequences for everyone else. Darren has been in jail for over a year. And whether or not his reasons were “justifiable” to everyone else, his intentions have always been golden. I would like to see anyone dare to walk a mile in his shoes, EVER. Regardless of what anyone else thinks, he is a wonderful father, son, and friend. I hope the courts can see his ability to admit his wrongs and go lighter on him.

In addition, “parkay” I haven't been following the story via the KC Star. Guess I should do some reading. However, Lamar is not the one they are after. That's why he got such a light sentence. The prosecution has been attempting to come up with various charges the whole time Darren has been in jail, no matter how fictitious.
28 May 2006
at 6:40 p.m.

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Decisions (Anonymous) says…

Wow, lets all act like we are suprised that the white girl who happens to be a “Harmon” gets off with only probation. We all knew it would happen. Lets not act like race doesn't play a role here.
“Motivation”, I have to completely agree with you. I also no longer live in Lawrence but understand what you say when you say, no one without a degree can get a decent job in Lawrence. I don't not think however that means he should have been selling drugs, and he knows I feel that way. I have know Darren for years, I also agree that he is a great role model to his younger siblings, they truely admire him. Darren did take care of his children and he did that very well. I also do hope that the courts see that he can admit his wrong doing and take that into serious consideration.
“four20” you got that right…Erin and Evann should be getting far more than they are. They knew what was going on at all times…They both have played the victim role. Yet both girls made the decisions they made to get them where they are today. Playing the victim was what we all knew they would do from the moment they got involved. Ms. Harmon has a degree, made more than minimum wage I'm sure, yet she wasn't smart enough to not get involved in the first place. They know as we all know, there was a lot of information swept away because daddy is who he is.
“Motivation”, not only do people selling ICE not get the time that Darren is looking at but people who commit crimes against children do not get the time that Darren is looking at. You're right he does not deserve to spend anywhere near 25 years in there. Darren is a wonderful man who will, I know without a doubt, rehabiliate himself if given the chance.
29 May 2006
at 1:51 p.m.

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crazyks (Anonymous) says…

Yes, depending on who you know, you can get out of trouble better or faster. I don't know any of the people involved, so I don't know if race was a factor.

Whether he deserves that much time in jail for his crime is a different matter. But he did commit the crime. He was selling drugs. I suppose it's possible that someone held a gun to his head and made him do it, but from most of the comments, I doubt it.

Why should he have a chance to rehabilitate himself now, any more so than a sex offender would? Why didn't he stop selling drugs and rehabilitate himself before? Why did he have to wait til he was caught at it to decided it wasn't such a great thing to do? Didn't he know that before?
30 May 2006
at 12:58 p.m.

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Usedbywilburn (Anonymous) says…

All I can say is Wow. I am not going to divulge who I am, as that doesn't matter, but I was a part of Darren Wilburn's life for almost a decade. I'm not sure which “girlfriend” motivation is…but I'm sure she's under his spell, like all the rest of us were. Role model is not what I would ever call him. Yes, his younger brother and sister looked up to him, but he was never providing any kind of good life skills…maybe back in 2000 when he worked at the farm and home store in Lawrence, but FYI, that IS the last job he EVER held. He has taught his brother that it is okay to use women, for cars, apartments, money and whatever else he could get. He taught his sister that it is acceptable for a man to lie to a woman to manipulate her feelings. He had been doing that for years, because he knew no better. His mother was certainly no role model, and his father was never in his life. But he did have MANY girlfriends, most at the same time, who did have good morals and families, who tried to teach him the right way.
30 May 2006
at 12:58 p.m.

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Usedbywilburn (Anonymous) says…

continued….
The thing with Darren was, he used his words to manipulate us “girls” and believe that we were special. It's very typical of a sociopath. Look it up on the internet…I often wonder if Darren could ever realize that what he did was wrong and how he treated women was wrong. It also should be known that Darren had a very long list of criminal activity. That can be the difference in sentencing. Ms. Harmon has no criminal history, she was just the victim of loving a man, and doing stupid stuff behind him. He had a way of doing that to women, promising marriage and a better life for us. The problem was, he did that with every one of his women.
His kids….hmmm….not all of us have a child by him that were involved with him, but I do know that he may have bought the child things from time to time, but spending time with his kids was not a priority. He has children that are almost teenagers in another state that he barely knows. And he continued to father children over and over. He has at LEAST 3 children under the age of 2 right now.
Bottom line is this-I had been involved on and off with him for years, but I made the decision to leave for myself, and it wasn't easy, he was very manipulative. It was leaving an abusive relationship, and that wasn't easy, it took me over 2 years to finally break free.
I don't think Darren will ever realize how many people he hurt unless he does sit in there for a while and reflect on what he did, and to take responsibility.
Oh, and he is only admitting to what he did, because they have him on video doing so. Not because he feels he needs to be punished.
I just hope that in time, these women he has used and very definitely abused, realize that they are worth more than competing with 50 other women for the affections of this man who needs serious counseling.
He did seem to have good intentions, but I have found out that Darren has made lying an art form, so who knows what kind of intentions he really has…what he really feels…only he knows.
31 May 2006
at 12:37 p.m.

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Motivation (Anonymous) says…

Usedbydarren…I know who you are and I'm not a new girlfriend. I've known Darren for about the same amount of time. I'm not under his “spell.” To tell you the truth, he's not that good at running game. In addition, he's not affectionate when he doesn't feel that way. Any female with half a brain has no problem seeing through his lies. The point being…all females made their own decisions. Abuse…ummmm…I don't think so.
He never “made” any women do anything they didn't want to. Actually, alot of them came up with the ideas in the first place. He also never got violent with anyone that didn't cross the threshold and push him to it.
Darren is approaching a time in his life where he will make decisions that are important. I feel truly lucky to be a “friend” to him during this time. The “victim” role is the easiest way for a female to get out of being known for the stupid things they have done without facing up to them and overcoming the issues. In my opinion, all the females need couseling, not Darren.
This is probably the reason why he has told a lot of people to go away. The stress is enough without the stress of females trying to “claim” him. He needs to find his way through this on his own. But will be the better man in the end. And yes, “Decisions” he will rehabilitate and come out of this well.
People can say what they want. Darren's children in another state as put previously were still provided for.

1 June 2006
at 3:49 p.m.

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Usedbywilburn (Anonymous) says…

Never did I say anything about violence. And yes, the females do need counseling, because whether you want to believe it or not, he did use them, all of them, for one thing or another. They need to learn about self-esteem, as I needed to, to realize that they don't need to share a man with anyone. Don't worry, I never tried to “claim” him, everything I felt about our relationship was put into my head by HIM. Some of us just chose to trust what he said, even when the hurt was obvious. We KNEW he was lying, as I know you did too, but you are still here with him…I know a lot of the females he has dealt with, and he still calls them, writes them and so on…he certainly is not down to telling one woman he loves them.
Any man, not just Darren, who chooses to use people and consistently lie to them needs counseling. That is not a positive behavior, and until he can admit his truths and hurts his actions caused, he cannot begin to heal and become the good man I know he has in him to be. I do hope he can be there for his children when he gets out, but the honest truth is that he didn't have time for them when he was out.
Admitting he has a problem will help him to heal, I know I have my own personal issues surrounding being able to heal from the hurt I let him to do me (and yes, I admit that I let him continue to hurt me), but I have had to come back to reality and realize that what he was telling me was not true. I don't feel the need to argue about him any longer. This is actually hindering my healing experience. I am trying to heal from all of the hurt surrounding him. I am glad that he has people sticking by him. I even tried to remove my post after I put it on there because it doesn't even matter any longer. I'm past this part of my life. Being a Christian woman, I pray for the best for him and all of his children. I just wish I had learned earlier, back when I first found out about you and the others, that he was not the man God had intended for me.
1 June 2006
at 4:51 p.m.

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Blondie (Anonymous) says…

And I quote from “Motivation”:

“He also never got violent with anyone that didn't cross the threshold and push him to it.”

I'm sickened by the above comment. Making excuses for abuse and blaming victims only perpetuates violence. Please tell me that you don't work with children or women, or men for that matter, where you can spew this dangerous nonsense and contribute to an already epidemic level of domestic violence.
1 June 2006
at 5:26 p.m.

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avictim (Anonymous) says…

First and foremost motivation is a liar and idiot, good role model, he sold drugs and his mom is a known crackhead, maybe he should have put his money towards something positive. Instead he put it towards bs. As a person who has a child with him I have a point to prove, As he has been in jail for almost a year now, motivation get your time right, he has seen his son no more than 20 times because of the fact that he is to busy trying to get these UGLY and dumb girls, who keep falling for his tricks. Harmon knew what she was doing as did everyone else in his case. Regardless of the fact that you have a degree so do I and I am smart enough to know right from wrong and when something is just plain stupid. If anyone thinks that Darren Wilburn is a good person and role model. They themselves have been doing to many drugs!! Do I think he needs a 20 year sentence no, but that's not the point you are trying to make. As for usedbywilburn, you are to stuck on him, get a life and concentrate on your new baby coming and maybe just maybe you might accomplish something
2 June 2006
at 7:31 p.m.

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avictim (Anonymous) says…

Yes Darren will be gone for awhile and that is a good thing. He needs to learn his lesson, and my son will never be the way his father was, and if I have to remove Darren from his life in order for that to happen so be it. A parent will do whatever they have to do in order for their children to prosper. And Usedbywilburn Darren dismissed you because you tried to make him chose between his children and you, get it right, if you are going to post a comment make sure you put the wole truth. I wish everyone the best in life and find what they urn for and don't get hurt in the process
3 June 2006
at 11:22 a.m.

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smitty (Anonymous) says…

**Officer's daughter gets probation in drug case**

The JW editorial staff is adding to the image problem by misrepresenting the father as an officer. An officer is commonly known as a patrol officer.

The officer is Kevin Harmon, who shared the second in command to police chief Ron Olin status with five other administrative lpd. Isn't the title Captain? Captain Harmon announced his retirement since this incident.

How to read the JW is between the lines.

Correction please:

captain's daughter gets probation in drug case
4 June 2006
at 9:04 p.m.

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irisheyez (Anonymous) says…

I want to start by saying that no matter how many comments are posted regarding Darren it will not change his future. He was and still is a very charming man. He made some really bad desicisions which he is now paying the consequences.He had weakness for women and money. He thought he had to live this lifestyle to provide for himself and his loved ones. The true tragedy is that my daughter will grow up without truly knowing what it is like to be “Daddy's little princess”. She will attend her first day of Kindergarten and Darren will not be there to see that.
3 July 2007
at 1:50 a.m.

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baby_girl (Anonymous) says…

I doubt anyone will ever see this comment, but sitting here now, reading all this crazy stuff Darren's kids' mom(S) are saying, I pity you. I still talk to Darren to this day. He's someone I'll always love, not just as a woman loves a man, but as a friend loves a friend. He knows he did a lot of messed up stuff and actually admits to it. He hates the fact that he's locked up, but can admit he did wrong and should pay for the crimes he did commit. The females that chose to “help him out” did what they did for their benefit. Evann was in on it for the money. Its sad seeing a pregnant girl rolling around in Darren's SUV busting his serves because the money he was paying for house, cars, food, clothes, etc. wasn't enough. Greedy people. Most of you females were attracted by the money and cars Darren always had. None of you cared about where he was getting it as long as you got to spend it, right? Its messed up that the females can gripe and moan about what a bad dad he was and wasn't around, but think about it, you were probably really hard to be around. I know Darren and quite a few of his friends and being included as a FRIEND and not some dumb female, I got to hear about how bad some of you females treated Darren. He's lucky to have the friends that choose to stick by him. Whether he's locked up for a few years to 20, I know I'll still be here to offer him a hand and a shoulder to lean on when he needs it. Lots of Love to D-Dub. I'll always have love for you.
28 July 2007
at 3:13 a.m.

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Motivation (Anonymous) says…

Baby_girl:

I read your comment. Not every female that knew Darren had any thought or motivation to get his money. To tell you the truth, he had more than he talked about, but didn't like to spend any of it. The women that truly love Darren are still around. He will make his choice when he gets released. I also am a FRIEND that chooses to stick by him and defend him. He understands what life is about now. I only hope the judge sees his efforts. I'm glad he has friends that care.