Ex-cop in ‘ice’ distribution case gets 24 months in prison

The federal court imposed yesterday a 24-month prison sentence on Florencio Q. Richards, a former police officer who was convicted of conspiring to distribute “ice” while he was still an active officer.

U.S. District Court for the NMI visiting judge Mark W. Bennett said it is his judgment that Richards must spend 24 months in prison, considering that he was a police officer when he committed the crimes.

On the other hand, Bennett said, there are other mitigating factors—Richards has good family support, has children, he cooperated with investigators, is doing well in his drug rehabilitation, is remorseful, and has taken responsibility and is not blaming anybody else for his crimes.

The 24-month sentence is the low end of the sentencing guidelines.

Before the sentence was handed down, Richards told the court that he deeply regrets his actions. He apologized to his family and the community for “betraying their trust and confidence in him.”

“I found that I’m not alone with this trouble—my addiction to drugs and alcohol,” Richards said. “I want to stand on my two feet again and support my family.”

He vowed to continue to serve the community not as a police officer but as a productive member of society.

Richards was given credit for the 114 days he had already spent in jail. After completing his sentence, he will be placed on three years of supervised released. Bennett allowed Richards to remain out on bail until a federal detention facility is designated for him.

The indictment charged Richards with drug conspiracy, distribution of a controlled substance, carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

He pleaded guilty in February to conspiracy to distribute, distribution of “ice,” and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person as part of a plea deal. In return, the charge of carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, which carries a mandatory jail time of five years, was dropped.

Assistant U.S. attorney James Benedetto had recommended the lowest end of the sentencing guidelines—24 months—citing Richards’ cooperation with investigators, acceptance of responsibility, and the fact that he is doing well in his supervised release.

Richards’ lawyer, Michael Evangelista, later said that they appreciate Bennett’s handling of the sentencing hearing.

“We also appreciate the government’s position of sticking to the general terms of the plea agreement that we have negotiated together. And we also appreciate the work of the Probation Office,” Evangelista said.

Evangelista said that Bennett did “an awesome job” in going through all the factors—both mitigating and enhancement.

“I think the judge took note of the many mitigating factors with regards to my client. [Richards] took responsibility from the very beginning. He abided by all the conditions of his pretrial release. He attended all counseling sessions. He is truly a remorseful man. He realized that what he had done was wrong. He took responsibility for that. He did not try to blame somebody,” the lawyer said.