Former Charlestown cop pleads guilty to drug charges

August 18, 2017 11:58 am

By: News Staff

Email: news@abc6.com

Twitter: @ABC6

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A former Charlestown police officer pled guilty to multiple charges in federal court Friday morning.

Evan Speck, who served on the Charlestown Police Department for 11 years, has pled guilty to money laundering and drug trafficking charges.

Speck now faces a maximum of more than 30 years behind bars. He pled guilty to three counts: Possession with intent to distribute anabolic steroids, distribution of a misbranded drug, and money laundering.

In court, the representative from the US Attorney’s Office did go over some of the facts. He said federal agents raided Speck’s Westerly home earlier this year.

When they did, they found items such as scales and syringes plus anabolic steroids he had been smuggling in from China.

Prosecutors say he was then repackaged the drugs and sold them. They believe he cashed in well over $500,000 in his scheme.

They also found three firearms one of which was in his car loaded.

Speck then stood up in front of Chief Judge William Smith and admitted to the facts.

His attorney spoke on his behalf outside court.

“It’s a very sad day but it’s about taking responsibility. At this point in time the most important thing for him is to move on with his life, take responsibility and try to come out the other end of the process a better person,” said Ed Roy; Speck’s attorney.

ABC6 News received a statement from the Charlestown Police Chief Jeffrey Allen. It reads:

It’s always disheartening to those of us who have dedicated our lives to upholding the law when any police officer is accused of a crime and agrees to please guilty to those crimes. Mr. Speck’s behavior was a huge violation of the public trust he was given as a police officer. It is important for the public to understand Mr. Speck had not worked as a police officer in nearly a year as he was on leave of absence since May 2016. He has not received any pay from the Town of Charlestown since September 2016, and he voluntarily resigned from the Department in March of this year. I am committed to safeguarding the integrity of this Department and will take whatever actions are necessary to ensure the public confidence in the Charlestown Police Department.

Speck will be back here in federal court on November 3rd for sentencing.