By Gary V. Murray, Staff Writer
Telegram & Gazette
WORCESTER- The two men who faked their way into a motel room and stole a half-million dollars worth of cocaine by posing as deputy sheriffs now are serving very real prison sentences.
Dean A. Bouchard and Russell G. Jones were each sentenced to 5 to 7 years in Walpole State Prison after pleading guilty Oct. 25 in Worcester Superior Court to charges stemming from the March 23, 2005, theft of 5 kilograms of cocaine from two men at the Rodeway Inn on Main Street in Westminster. Judge Peter W. Agnes Jr. placed both 25-year-old men on probation for 5 years, to begin upon their release from prison.
Representing themselves as Worcester County deputy sheriffs, Mr. Bouchard and Mr. Jones obtained a pass key from a motel clerk, entered the room where the men were staying and then drove off with the victims’ vehicle, which contained the drugs, Assistant District Attorney Joseph T. Moriarty Jr. said at the plea hearing last month.
Mr. Bouchard, of 63 Pacific St., Fitchburg, pleaded guilty to charges of trafficking in 28 to 100 grams of cocaine, conspiracy to commit robbery, false impersonation, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of a hypodermic needle or syringe.
Mr. Jones, of 2 Wright St., Gardner, pleaded guilty to trafficking in 28 to 100 grams of cocaine, conspiracy to commit robbery, false impersonation and two counts each of unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition.
The trafficking charge against each man was reduced under a plea agreement from trafficking in more than 200 grams of cocaine, which carries a minimum mandatory prison sentence of 15 years. Trafficking in 28 to 100 grams of cocaine carries a minimum mandatory sentence of 5 years.
An accomplice in the case, Katherine Lindquist, 25, of 187 Center Road, Shirley, was placed on probation Oct. 25 after pleading guilty to cocaine possession. Drug trafficking and firearm charges against Ms. Lindquist, who was Mr. Jones’ girlfriend, were dismissed at the prosecution’s request.
The cocaine that was stolen in Westminster, along with a .22-caliber handgun and some of the clothing used in the robbery, were found in Ms. Lindquist’s car after it was stopped by police in Gardner two days after the robbery, according to Mr. Moriarty. A small quantity of cocaine was found in Ms. Lindquist’s purse, the prosecutor said.
Marijuana, cocaine and a hypodermic needle and syringe were found by police in a search of Mr. Bouchard’s home and a .40-caliber handgun was seized from the home of Mr. Jones, according to the assistant district attorney.
Judge Agnes on Thursday also sentenced both men to House of Correction terms that are to be served concurrently with their state prison sentences. As conditions of probation, Mr. Bouchard and Mr. Jones were ordered to undergo drug evaluations and any related treatment recommended by the Probation Department and to secure and maintain employment.
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