United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Federal Drug "Demand Reduction" Initiative: BRIDGEPORT MAN SENTENCED FOR ATTEMPTING TO PURCHASE COCAINE

Kevin J. O'Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JAMES PEACE, age 40, of 225 Main Street, Bridgeport, Connecticut, was sentenced today on his previously entered plea of guilty to attempted possession of cocaine. Sentence was imposed by United States Magistrate Judge William I. Garfinkle in federal court in Bridgeport. PEACE was sentenced to one year of probation, during which he must continue with drug and alcohol treatment and drug counseling at his own expense, and was fined $1,000 in addition to being ordered to pay the costs of investigation and prosecution in the sum of $500. The court advised PEACE that conditions of his probation include that he cannot use alcohol or drugs, unless prescribed by a physician, and that if he tests positive for the unauthorized use of narcotics he will be sent to prison.

U.S. Attorney O'Connor explained that PEACE was arrested on February 11, 2004, when he attempted to purchase cocaine from a police officer acting in an undercover capacity. Following his arrest, PEACE told arresting officers that he thought he was negotiating the purchase of cocaine from a person from whom he had been purchasing cocaine for the previous six months.

Approximately two weeks after his arrest, on February 27, 2004, PEACE appeared before Judge Garfinkel and entered a plea of guilty to the federal charge of attempted possession of cocaine. PEACE's plea was entered pursuant to a plea agreement with the Government wherein he agreed, among other things, to pay the costs of investigation and prosecution in the sum of $500, and agreed to donate the money he was going to use to buy the drugs on February 11 to the Stratford DARE program.

During the sentencing proceeding, PEACE stated that he was happy he was arrested and that the arrest served as a wake-up call to him that he was developing a problem with narcotics. PEACE, through his counsel, noted that he has been drug free since the date of his arrest. "Federal law enforcement authorities have long focused their attention on those who sell drugs, but sufficient effort has not been expended on addressing those who make the market for the dealers," U.S. Attorney O'Connor stated. "While dealers are convicted and sent away for decades, drug buyers often remain unprosecuted and unpunished. This prosecution and others like it should send a message to those who may be inclined to buy and possess drugs – the risks are simply not worth it."

Bridgeport Chief of Police Wilbur Chapman echoed this sentiment when he said "drug purchasers should be forewarned that there will be serious consequences if they are caught buying drugs in Bridgeport. Don't create the market for drugs here and bring all the attendant ills of drug trafficking into our City."

U.S. Attorney O'Connor further expressed his hope that "this prosecution will encourage others who have drug habits or drug problems to seek counseling and help for their addiction before they find themselves in federal custody and enmeshed in the criminal justice system with a resulting arrest and conviction record."

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bridgeport Police Department and the Stratford Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James I. Glasser.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov