2007-05-17 00:36:35 -

BOSTON, May 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Four individuals, including a Massachusetts State Trooper and a retired Massachusetts State Trooper, were charged today in federal court with a criminal complaint for conspiring to distribute OxyContin and conspiring to use extortionate means to collect drug debts.

United States Attorney Michael J. Sullivan, Colonel Mark Delaney, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, and Bruce M. Foucart, Special Agent-in-Charge of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Office of Investigations in Boston, announced today that Massachusetts State Trooper MARK V. LEMIEUX, of 6 Daisy Drive, Norfolk,

MA; former Massachusetts State Trooper JOSEPH M. CATANESE of 6 Yacht Lane in Sandwich, MA; PATRICK MCCARTHY (a/k/a "PAIN") of 32 Station Avenue, #32, Yarmouth, MA; and TARA I. DRUMMEY of 6 Daisy Drive, Norfolk, MA; are all charged with conspiring to distribute OxyContin, a Schedule II controlled substance. LEMIEUX, CATANESE and MCCARTHY are also charged with conspiring to use extortionate means to collect or attempt to collect drug debts.

The criminal complaint alleges that on November 28, 2006, at Boston's Logan Airport, a large quantity of cash and OxyContin pills were found in the possession of an individual who was scheduled to fly to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This individual ("CW") agreed to accompany a MSP trooper to the barracks at Logan Airport. Prior to going to the barracks, the CW told the MSP officer that he was an informant for another MSP trooper named MARK LEMIEUX.

The CW stated that he and others were traveling to Florida on a regular basis to obtain large quantities of OxyContin pills (from Florida physicians and pharmacists) and returning to Massachusetts to distribute those pills for profit. The MSP trooper telephoned LEMIEUX and informed him that CW had been stopped at Logan Airport with a large quantity of cash and OxyContin pills in his possession, and that CW was claiming to be an informant for LEMIEUX. LEMIEUX confirmed that CW was an informant for him.

Subsequently, after being further questioning by the MSP, the CW admitted that LEMIEUX'S live-in girlfriend, TARA DRUMMEY, had made several trips to Florida on his behalf for the purpose of obtaining OxyContin from Florida physicians. Upon returning to Massachusetts from Florida, DRUMMEY would deliver the narcotics to the CW who in turn would pay her for the pills. The CW would then distribute the narcotics for a profit.

It is further alleged in the criminal complaint that in June 2006, LEMIEUX called the CW and said that DRUMMEY needed to make money. LEMIEUX, who knew about CW's ongoing OxyContin distribution activities, inquired whether DRUMMEY could start making trips to Florida to obtain pills for CW. The Complaint also alleges that in or about September 2006, the CW met with LEMIEUX and DRUMMEY, at LEMIEUX'S request, to discuss in detail the mechanics of obtaining OxyContin in Florida and transporting it back to Massachusetts for distribution. During this meeting and other conversations, LEMIEUX told CW to be careful traveling through Logan Airport. LEMIEUX and DRUMMEY thought the plan was a good one and all three agreed they could make money.

According to the criminal complaint, DRUMMEY began traveling to Florida to obtain OxyContin and other narcotics. Prior to each trip, LEMIEUX would call CW and make arrangements for DRUMMEY to fly to Florida. LEMIEUX would subsequently "check in" with CW to ensure everything was proceeding smoothly.

Beginning in late January 2007, LEMIEUX unknowingly engaged in a series of government recorded telephone calls and in-person meetings with the CW and discussed DRUMMEY's trips to Florida as well as the outstanding money owed to her by the CW. On several occasions, LEMIEUX collected money from the CW owed DRUMMEY for OxyContin as well as computer laptops that were purported to be stolen in lieu of cash.

It is further alleged that in February 2007, LEMIEUX put the CW in contact with his former MSP partner, JOSEPH CATANESE, for the purpose of enlisting CATANESE's assistance in collecting outstanding drug debts. On March 26, 2007, the CW spoke to CATANESE during a recorded telephone conversation and explained that he needed assistance from someone "with a little muscle" in collecting money owed him. CATANESE stated that he had "a guy" that could help, and the two agreed that CATANESE would accept 30% of the amount of money collected with his "guy's" assistance.

Between March 28, 2007 and May 1, 2007, CATANESE, LEMIEUX and the CW participated in a series of government recorded telephone calls, to discuss "the guy" and the collection of outstanding OxyContin drug debts. On April 6, 2007, MCCARTHY, a/k/a "PAIN" met the CW, CATANESE and LEMIEUX at the Braintree Mall parking lot to discuss the CW's outstanding drug debt collection needs.

On April 11, 2007, the CW met MCCARTHY in East Boston for the purpose of making a collection of a purported outstanding drug debt from an individual who was supposedly given 200 OxyContin pills at $50 per pill on credit. MCCARTHY entered CW's vehicle, which was equipped with audio and video equipment. Shortly thereafter, an undercover New Hampshire State Trooper also entered CW's vehicle in his undercover role as an individual who owed CW approximately $9,000. MCCARTHY demanded that the drug debt be repaid and ultimately warned the undercover agent that he would be "picking splinters" out of his head and that MCCARTHY would "cut him from ear-to-ear" if he didn't pay the drug debt. Shortly thereafter, the CW called CATANESE and informed him that MCCARTHY successfully assisted him in the collection of $6,000 in drug debt. Later, CATANESE acknowledged to the CW that he received his portion of the proceeds from MCCARTHY.

Toward the end of the investigation, LEMIEUX grew suspicious that law enforcement had learned of his and DRUMMEY's involvement in the drug distribution scheme. During a recorded telephone conversation, LEMIEUX asked the CW to "cover" for him and stated, "I gotta come up with a strategy to keep everybody out of [trouble]."

"It is a somber moment when it becomes necessary to prosecute a member of law enforcement who has abused his authority and crossed the line from crime fighter to criminal," said United States Attorney Michael Sullivan. "However, Colonel Delaney was ready to address these allegations of misconduct head-on, and I want to commend him for his leadership and cooperation with the U.S. Attorney's Office and Immigrations Customs and Enforcement. This conduct is an affront to every decent, honest member of law enforcement, and should not be a reflection on the good work done by the men and women of the Massachusetts State Police, on behalf of the citizens of the Commonwealth."

"It is always disheartening when a member of this agency, through willful criminal conduct, tarnishes the image of the men and women who honorably serve the State Police with pride and integrity," stated Colonel Mark F. Delaney. "As the Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, I will not tolerate and personally condemn this kind of criminal behavior that strikes at the very core of our values, ethics, and traditions of excellence. The proud men and women of this Department are hard working individuals that will continue to serve the public with the highest standards of integrity and ethics for which the public expects and deserves from our agency."

"This case started when a TSA officer screening carry-on luggage at Logan airport noticed something that wasn't right and brought it the attention of ICE's Logan Airport Task Force," said Special Agent-in-Charge Bruce Foucart. "By working with our Federal, state and local counterparts we're able to bring all of our different skills and authorities together to help protect the public safety of New England from brazen drug traffickers."

If convicted of the drug charge, each defendant faces a maximum of 20 years' imprisonment, three years supervised release, a $1,000,000 fine and a $100 special assessment. If convicted of the extortion charge, defendants LEMIEUX, CATANESE and MCCARTHY face a maximum of 20 years' imprisonment, three years supervised release, a $250,000 fine and a $100 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the Massachusetts State Police and the Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William F. Bloomer, of Sullivan's Drug Task Force, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian T. Kelly, Chief of Sullivan's Public Corruption Unit.

The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Source: U.S. Attorney Office