A Winthrop auxiliary police officer was arrested earlier this month on suspicion of dealing drugs while on duty.
According to sources, the suspect sold cocaine not only from his police car, but while he was parked within a school zone, amongst other locations. Federal law enforcement officials reportedly followed him for six months, following a tip from a local police department.
The man was reportedly an unpaid volunteer auxiliary police officer for a year and a half prior to his arrest.
While the action of selling cocaine while on the job adds a sort of insult to injury for law enforcement officials, what is perhaps more relevant for the suspect himself is the allegation that he was doing so within a school zone.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts considers cocaine a very dangerous substance, and if convicted for possession with intent to distribute cocaine, the law prescribes the following penalties for a first time offender:
- up to 10 years in prison, or
- up to 2.5 years in jail, or
- A fine of $1,000- $10,000
- Both fine and imprisonment, and
- Suspension of driver’s license
Additionally, distribution within a school zone, which is defined as, “in or on, or within three hundred feet of the real property comprising a public or private accredited preschool, accredited headstart facility, elementary, vocational, or secondary school whether or not in session, or within one hundred feet of a public park or playground” shall face a mandatory minimum prison term of two years, and could face as many as fifteen. A fine of $1,000-$10,000 may also be assessed.
The aforementioned are only the laws relating to the state crimes associated with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. In many cases, including this one due to the FBI’s alleged involvement, there may be separate federal crimes. These additional charges could result in additional jail time, to be served in a federal prison.
Therefore, it is imperative if you have been accused of, questioned regarding, or charged with distribution or possession with intent to distribute cocaine, that you contact an experienced Massachusetts drug crimes defense attorney. Doing so will ensure that any potentially questionable evidence can be challenged or excluded from your case altogether, and that all relevant defenses are asserted.
If you have been charged with any crimes regarding cocaine, marijuana, meth, heroin, ecstasy, molly, or prescription drugs, you should speak with a Massachusetts drug crimes defense attorney as soon as possible. If you are seeking a thoroughly experienced, practical and resourceful drug possession lawyer in Boston or anywhere in Massachusetts, please contact The Law Office of Patrick J. Murphy right away. You can contact us by calling 617-367-0450 or submitting the contact form on our website. With many years of active experience, Attorney Murphy is versed in all strategies for dealing effectively with drug possession charges.
More Blog Posts:
Several Arrests Following Housing Rights Demonstration, Boston Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog, published October 10, 2013
Dunkin’ Donuts Robbery Believed to be Man’s 18th Incident, Boston Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog, published October 2, 2013