Bail requests disputed for drug bust suspects

LYNN – Judges ordered bail from $40 to $7,000 cash for defendants arrested Tuesday in connection with Operation Winter Blizzard, a two-month long undercover operation targeting street-level drug dealers.But several defense attorneys questioned prosecutors’ high bail requests, arguing that police essentially rounded up easy targets by going to social-service agencies and “enticing” people with known drug problems.”The officer presents himself at a location where these vulnerable people who have issues with, or are under the influence of drugs, have gone to get assistance,” court-appointed defense attorney Deborah McWade said Tuesday in Lynn District Court.McWade said police approached her client, William Skrobacz, 41, outside of Willow Laboratories on Union Street where he went to get tested for drugs as part of an addiction-treatment program.Attorney Lance Sobelman noted his client, Alejandro Perez, 25, was approached outside of the methadone clinic.Police said goals of the Operation Winter Blizzard included reducing the supply of heroin in hopes to prevent overdoses and also hopefully prevent property crimes committed by users seeking to support their habit.The number of heroin overdoses increased 81 percent this year, rising from 94 overdoses in 2012 to 170 overdoses in 2013, according to Lynn Police statistics.Police made most of the arrests around midday Tuesday, predominantly charging individuals with offenses including possession; possession with intent to distribute; and conspiracy to violate drug laws. The arraignments of those arrested in the sweep began late Tuesday afternoon in Lynn District Court. But the majority of the 20 people police said they arrested in the operation were arraigned on Wednesday or are scheduled to be arraigned today.Each arrest occurred under unique circumstances. But basic patterns emerged from prosecutors’ bail arguments at several of the arraignments observed Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday, and from court records.In several cases, teams of undercover officers found and asked alleged street-level dealers to supply them with small amounts of heroin ($40 worth) or crack cocaine. Surveillance vehicles followed the targeted alleged dealer to identify his or her alleged supplier (if possible) and also to observe a hand-to-hand transfer of the drugs with the undercover officer. Once the alleged transfer was made and evidence secured, police arrested the dealer and, if applicable, the supplier.Prosecutors’ bail requests ranged from $5,000 to $25,000, depending on factors such as whether the defendant had a criminal record and/or history of defaults, the number of charges against the defendant, and circumstances of the arrest.(The $25,000 bail request involved defendant Anthony Boyd, 27, fleeing from police, repeatedly trying to slam a door on an officer’s foot, hitting officers, and grabbing a trooper’s leg “and encouraging a large dog to bite it,” according to a report by Officer Stephen Withrow.)Defense attorneys, however, questioned police methods and prosecutors’ bail requests.McWade suggested Skrobacz’s arrest constituted entrapment.Court-appointed defense attorney Stephen O’Malley said the $5,000 cash bail requested for a single distribution of Class B cocaine charge was “outrageous.” He said such a high bail request would typically involve a trafficking case or a case with guns.O’Malley said the Operation Winter Blizzard cases, however, involved police “effectuating conversations with low-level persons on street ? who they know they have records ? and enticing them to get some drugs.”Judge Joseph Jennings Tuesday ordered both the lowest and highest amount of bail on charges resulting from the operation. Jennings ordered O’Malley’s client, Craig Godbolt, 53, held on $40 for the new charge, but also held for a potential probation violation.He ordered Boyd held on $7,000. Judge James Wexler ordered Skrobacz held on $3,500 Tuesday.Meanwhile, more defendants are scheduled to be arraigned today,