Designated Federal Judge Robert C. Naraja earlier ordered former Police Officer Florencio Quitugua Richards to undergo medical evaluation to determine his possible addiction to a controlled substance during his detention hearing this month.
The prosecutor, Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Benedetto, and defense attorney Michael N. Evangelista have filed a stipulated request, which stated that “the parties submit that such a determination can be made by a substance abuse assessment and evaluation, rather than a full medical evaluation.”
Both parties further asked the court that such assessment and evaluation on Richards be conducted by the Community Guidance Center.
During the detention hearing this month, Naraja noted that Richards was “dealing with, using dangerous drugs, and possessed a dangerous weapon” while committing drug trafficking.
Richards is facing a possible jail term of more than 10 years for conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, distribution of a controlled substance, carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
Evangelista earlier argued that his client had no prior conviction, and had not committed any crime since his release to his common-law wife and his mother as third party custodians three months ago.
But the Federal Probation Office reported that Richards smoked “ice” and marijuana and consumed alcohol recently.
Richards turned himself in to federal authorities after the grand jury indicted him on Oct. 21, 2010.
The indictment against Richards stemmed from his arrest on July 15, 2010 by local authorities for possession and trafficking of “ice.”
The federal jury trial for Richards, who resigned from the local police force on July 22, will start on Dec. 13.
