Massachusetts Firefighter To Plead to Drug Charges

Posted by: Curt Varone June 2, 2022 0

A former Malden, Massachusetts firefighter who stands accused of selling drugs to firefighter colleagues, has agreed to plead guilty. Joshua Eisnor is scheduled to appear in federal court later this month and plead to charges of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute, controlled substances.

According to the US Attorney’s office, Eisnor will be pleading to charges associated with controlled substances including oxycodone, suboxone, Klonopin and Adderall. According to boston.com, no other members of the department will be facing criminal charges, but an internal investigation will be conducted.

Malden is the third fire department recently to face accusations of drug dealing amongst firefighters. Recall New Britain, Connecticut and North Las Vegas, Nevada were in the fire law headlines. In both the New Britain and North Las Vegas cases, it was a fatality that brought the cases to light.

Quoting from the US Attorney’s press release on the Malden case:

Sentences in a criminal case are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to a $500,000.

Boston.com quoted from a statement issued by the city of Malden as follows:

  • This information is disturbing and disheartening and the City will be conducting an immediate investigation into the scope of the matter within the Department.
  • Though at this time criminal charges appear to be isolated to the individual indicted, these are serious personnel matters that will be handled aggressively.
  • An independent investigation firm will be retained to conduct an internal review and make recommendations on next steps to be taken to address this activity and those who may have been involved.
  • As we address these serious charges, the City remains confident in the dedication of the Department and its leadership to protecting the residents of Malden in the same way they have for generations.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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