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Ex-cop Richards fails drug tests, again
Florencio Q. Richards, a former police officer on federal probation after serving a 24-month prison term for distributing methamphetamine or “ice,” tested positive again for allegedly using the drug twice in September and twice in October.
According to U.S. Probation officer Gregory F. Arriola, Richards also failed to participate in a substance abuse treatment program.
When confronted with the drug test results, Richards admitted using the drug on Sept. 7 and 27 and on Oct. 15 and 21, said Arriola in his report to the U.S. District Court for the NMI on Thursday.
He said Richards also failed to appear for a counseling session last Nov. 8 and did not contact the treatment vendor to provide a reason for his absence.
Arriola asked the court to summon Richards to a hearing to explain why his term of supervised release should not be revoked.
On compliance matters, Arriola reported that Richards paid his special assessment fee in full, submitted to the collection of a DNA sample, and has been employed since Nov. 10, 2014.
In July, Arriola also disclosed to the court that Richards has not complied with the conditions of his supervision by using “ice” on May 31 and June 1, 2014.
The probation officer said Richards also failed to report for drug testing on May 30 and 31, and June 3, 2014.
The former police officer also failed to report for a counseling session on June 3, 2014, Arriola said.
At the time, Arriola warned Richards that the next positive drug test will result in court action.
Last Jan. 30, U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona revoked the supervised release of Richards and sent him to three months in prison with credit for time served for using “ice” again.
Manglona ordered that after serving the three months in prison, Richards will be placed on 33 months of supervised release.
Richards has been placed on three years of supervised probation since Feb. 20, 2013, after serving a 12-month prison term for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine or “ice,” distribution of “ice,” and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
In August 2011, the federal court imposed a 24-month prison term on Richards for distributing “ice” while he was still an active officer.
