38-year state police vet charged with cocaine distribution

BOSTON – The State Trooper known for his strong vocal chords and gospel style performances is now singing the blues after being charged with the distribution of cocaine.Massachusetts State Trooper John T. Foley, 63, of Highland Avenue in Saugus, was charged in U.S. District Court Friday.If convicted, Foley faces up to 20 years in jail, a $100,000 fine, three years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.Foley is assigned to the Revere State Police Barracks and has been a member of the State Police since October 1971.U.S. Attorney Michael J. Sullivan, Colonel Mark Delaney, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, June W. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division and Warren T. Bamford, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI New England Division, announced the indictment.Sullivan said the allegations against Foley are an affront to every member of the Massachusetts State Police.”It is always disheartening when a law enforcement officer betrays his solemn oath of office by committing a criminal act,” Delaney said. “Not only has he dishonored himself, but he has wantonly betrayed troopers who risk their lives everyday, enforcing the very laws he so willfully violated.”Stansbury said the crime would be investigated with fervor.”Crimes committed by police officers undermine the confidence of the people they took an oath to protect and smear the reputations of police officers who everyday put their lives on the line,” he said. “We will always investigate a sworn officer who has compromised honor by trafficking in drugs.”The case resulted from an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tactical Diversion Squad, Lynn Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police.Assistant U.S. Attorney George W. Vien of Sullivan’s Public Corruption Unit is prosecuting the case.Foley, a 36-year veteran of the State Police, often performs at weddings, funerals, fundraisers and churches in Lynn, Saugus and Revere.The gospel singer has also appeared at numerous events in Boston and on the North Shore.