Former Representative Raymond D. Palacios pleaded guilty today, Friday, to possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine or “ice.”
Palacios, 49, and his counsel, Joaquin DLG. Torres, signed a plea agreement. As part of the plea bargain, the government will recommend the dismissal of the remaining charges.
At a change of plea hearing, Superior Court associate judge Perry B. Inos accepted the plea agreement and the defendant's guilty plea.
Inos ordered the Probation Office to prepare a pre-sentence investigation report and set the sentencing for March 19, 2013 at 9am.
Illegal possession of a controlled substance carries a maximum sentence of five years in jail, not subject to suspension, parole, or probation, and fine of $2,000.
The Office of the Attorney General charged the former lawmaker with two counts of trafficking of a controlled substance and two counts of illegal possession of a controlled substance.
According to police reports, members of the Drug Enforcement Task Force and Department of Public Safety's Criminal Investigation Bureau used a confidential source to buy a total of $200 worth of “ice” from Palacios in two transactions that occurred on Oct. 19, 2011.
Palacios is out on bail after posting $3,000 cash and $27,000 unsecured bond. Police arrested the lawmaker in October 2011.
More details to follow
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