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Judge warns ex-cop not try her patience
Former police officer Florencio Q. Richards yesterday denied “at this time” the allegations that he used methamphetamine or “ice” again and committed other violations while on supervised release.
Michael Dotts, counsel for Richards, said at this time they are denying the allegations and asking for a postponement of the preliminary hearing.
U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona granted Richards’ request and set the preliminary hearing for Dec. 8 at 10:30am.
Manglona told Richards that the U.S government would present evidence at the preliminary hearing that would back the allegations.
Manglona also warned Richards that if he tests positive for drug use again, it would be enough for her to issue a warrant to bring him into custody until the revocation hearing.
Manglona said she allows Richards to maintain free pending the hearing because she wants him to succeed and not to fail.
“But do not try my patience,” Manglona told the former police officer.
Richards appeared in court yesterday after being summoned to appear following U.S. Probation Officer Gregory Arriola’s report that Richards has not been complying with the conditions of his supervised release.
According to Arriola in the Nov. 13 report, Richards tested positive for “ice” use and he admitted using the illegal drug on Oct. 11 and 21, 2015.
Arriola said Richards also failed to submit to a drug test on Oct. 11, 2015, and failed to report to the U.S. Probation Office for drug testing on Oct. 23, 2015.
Arriola said Wednesday that the treatment vendor reported on Nov. 27, 2015, that Richards submitted a diluted urine sample while undergoing random drug testing.
Richards denied altering his urine sample and denied using illegal drugs.
Arriola said the sample was sent to the laboratory for further testing and the results are pending.
