For Immediate Release June 30, 2008                                    
Contact: Corey Welford/Jessica Venezia 781-897-8325

MCI-Concord Corrections Officer Arraigned On Drug Distribution, Possession Charges
Charged With Possession And Distribution Of Marijuana and Steroids

LOWELL - Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone informed the public today that an MCI-Concord Corrections Officer has been arraigned on drug charges this morning in Lowell District Court.

Robert Sweeney, 48, of Dracut, was arraigned before Lowell District Court Judge James McGuiness for distribution of a class D drug (Marijuana), possession with intent to distribute a class D drug (Marijuana), conspiracy to violate the narcotic laws, possession of a class B drug (Ecstasy), possession with intent to distribute a class E drug (Steroids), and possession of class E drug (Steroids).

Sweeney was ordered held on $5,000 bail.  His next court date is July 29, 2008 for a pre-trial hearing.

The arrest was made based on a joint investigation conducted by the Massachusetts State Police Detective Units assigned to the Northwestern, Middlesex, and Worcester District Attorney’s Offices as well as investigators from the Massachusetts Department of Corrections Office of Investigative Services.

Robert Sweeney is a Massachusetts Corrections Officer presently assigned to MCI-Concord. During the month of June 2008, investigators from the Hampshire and Middlesex District Attorney’s Office developed information that Sweeney was selling and distributing marijuana. A Massachusetts State Trooper, acting in an undercover capacity, arranged for a marijuana transaction with Sweeney.  That transaction took place in Lowell on June 28, at approximately 3:15 p.m. in which Sweeney sold seven pounds of marijuana to the undercover officer for $9,000.  Sweeney was then stopped by police who discovered the $9,000 in his car and, after receiving Miranda, he admitted to having an additional 2 lbs of marijuana in his residence along with scales, ecstasy tablets, steroids and packing materials. 

Sweeney was placed under arrest immediately after the transaction took place. A search warrant was issued at Sweeney’s residence, and investigators seized two pounds of marijuana, 100 bottles of steroids and six tablets of ecstasy.

These charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The Assistant District Attorney assigned to this case is Elisha Willis who is assigned to the Middlesex PACT unit.  The PACT Unit is dedicated to the investigation and prosecution of cases of public integrity, anti-terrorism, corruption, technology, organized crime and high-level narcotics.

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