Case vs. busted Swampscott cop to proceed

SWAMPSCOTT – There is sufficient evidence to go forward with a criminal federal case against Swampscott Police Officer Thomas Wrenn.At a probable cause hearing in U.S. District Court in Boston on Monday, the court ruled there was enough evidence to go forward with the case against Wrenn.U.S. Attorney’s Office Spokesman Christina D’Orio Sterling said a new court date has not been scheduled yet.Wrenn, 37, 17 Prospect St., Nahant was arrested March 13 in Lynn by the Drug Enforcement Agency and was charged in a criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute oxycodone.The criminal complaint against Wrenn, which was filed in federal court on March 13, alleges Wrenn purchased Percocet pills, which are a form of oxycodone, over a period of months beginning in the fall of 2006.According to the affidavit, Wrenn allegedly routinely consumed Percocet and cocaine and in some instances did so while in uniform.According to the affidavit from DEA Special Agent Dennis A. Barton, allegations of Wrenn’s drug use and distribution first came to light in January 2007 when a confidential informant reported Wrenn’s drug habits to the Swampscott Police Department.According to the affidavit, Madigan confronted Wrenn a few days after being contacted by the informant and asked him to submit to a drug test “in order to dispel the allegation” but Wrenn refused to take a drug test.During a hearing in U.S. District Court in Boston on March 14, Wrenn pleaded not guilty and was released on a $15,000 bond. Wrenn, who earned $97,000 last year and lives in a $634,000 home, received a court appointed attorney. Attorney Tracy Miner, who is with the firm of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky, and Popeo, was appointed to represent Wrenn. Miner represented former FBI agent John Connolly a few years ago. At his earlier hearing, Wrenn was ordered by the Court to surrender his passport and weapons. He is also required to submit to random drug testing and ordered not to leave eastern Massachusetts or sail more than a mile offshore. He was also instructed not to have any contact with any witnesses in the case.On March 16, Wrenn was suspended for five working days without pay by Chief Ronald Madigan and placed on unpaid administrative leave. Last week the Board of Selectmen voted to hold a disciplinary hearing, which has not yet been scheduled, to consider additional action against Wrenn “up to and including termination.”