Former Charlestown cop arraigned on money laundering, drug charges

By Bianca Buono

bbuono@abc6.com

@BBuonoABC6

Former Charlestown police Evan Speck was arraigned on multiple felony charges in federal court Friday. The 34-year-old is charged with possession with intent to distribute anabolic steroids, distribution of a misbranded drug, and money laundering.

"He was a great police officer and is very remorseful for what happened,” said Speck’s attorney Edward Roy.

Speck spent 11 years as a police officer in Charlestown while also competing in bodybuilding competitions on the side. Several months ago, he filed a lawsuit against the town of Charlestown alleging they discriminated against him because he was out on disability leave with ADHD.

Not long after that, in March, his home in Westerly was raided by the feds. He stepped down from the department shortly after.

"The best thing to do in this kind of circumstance is to take full responsibility and he’s taking those steps,” Roy said.

Based on court documents, we know he will plead guilty to all three felony charges. As part of the deal, he’ll also pay back $536,000 from his drug-trafficking business.

In the meantime, Speck was released on the conditions of mental health treatment and substance-abuse testing.

"He signed a plea agreement indicating he wants to enter a plea of guilty so that’s what we expect to be done,” said Roy.

The change of plea hearing for Speck will be sometime next week.

Roy says the lawsuit against the town of Charlestown is still up in the air.

© WLNE-TV 2017