Firefighter, 32, to be arraigned on drug charges
BURLINGTON - A town firefighter will be arraigned Wednesday on charges that he sold OxyContin, a powerful prescription painkiller.
David Richardson, 32, has been placed on unpaid leave from the Fire Department. Burlington police conducting surveillance said they observed a drug deal between Richardson and a Woburn man on a side street near the Woburn city line last month.
Richardson was not arrested but was issued a summons to appear before a Woburn District Court clerk magistrate, who earlier this week found probable cause to charge him with distribution of a Class B substance, conspiracy to violate drug laws, and possession of a Class B substance.
Richardson is also charged with committing the crimes near a school or park, which would add at least two years onto his sentence if convicted.
The distribution charge carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence. Police say the sale occurred near the Open Bible Academy, a prekindergarten through 12th grade school.
Richardson lives in Burlington and has been a town firefighter since February 2002. He previously served as a dispatcher for the department, starting in September 1996, Fire Chief Lee Callahan said. Officials placed Richardson on paid administrative leave immediately after learning of the alleged deal, Callahan said. Richardson's status changed to unpaid leave last week, pending the outcome of his case.
Approached outside his Peach Orchard Road home Wednesday, Richardson declined to comment. "I'm all set, thank you," he said, moments after he emerged from a car that bore a firefighter's union sticker and a child's window shade. His Boston lawyer was unavailable for comment.
Callahan said Richardson has been a dependable firefighter. "He's a good guy, but obviously he's got some allegations made, and we'll see where those go," the chief said, adding that residents should feel comfortable that public safety is being served.
Narcotics officer Paul J. Glejzer was conducting surveillance May 15 on Winn Street when he spotted a man loitering in a vehicle in a Dunkin' Donuts lot. Glejzer checked the plates and learned that they were revoked and had been registered to a different car, according to his report.
Glejzer and another officer watched as the driver - later identified as Robert W. Bradley of Woburn - spoke into a cellphone, then drove across to the lot of a tanning salon, where Richardson pulled in from another entrance and motioned for Bradley to follow him, police said.
The officers immediately recognized Richardson as a firefighter and as the subject of uncorroborated tips about drug abuse, Glejzer wrote. They watched as the men drove around the corner to Wyman Street, where Bradley entered Richardson's vehicle. After witnessing what the officers believed was a drug transaction, they approached and ordered Richardson to get out, police said. Bradley had already exited the vehicle.
"Richardson began yelling no, no, no, and was very emotional," Glejzer wrote. The firefighter allegedly reached repeatedly into a fanny pack - causing the drug officer to fear for his safety and force Richardson on the car. In the process, Richardson tossed a small bottle onto the car's roof; officers later determined it contained 8 1/2 OxyContin pills, the report said.
Richardson confessed to selling one 80-milligram OxyContin pill for $70 after Bradley admitted the same, according to the report.
Bradley, 32, will be arraigned on one count of conspiracy to violate drug laws and four motor vehicle charges.
