Accused of dealing oxycodone and steroids, a 25-year veteran Attleboro firefighter with a lengthy criminal record walked out of federal court yesterday without putting up a single red cent for bail.
Michael B. Wilson, hiding his face from a photographer, hopped into a silver sedan without comment two days after federal agents busted him at his Attleboro home.
Judge Judith G. Dein released the 49-year-old jake and father of one on a $10,000 secured bond, and ordered him to give up his passport and stay within this state and Rhode Island.
Wilson's release comes as questions swirl about his criminal past, which Fire Chief Scott Lachance said he had no knowledge of before putting Wilson on unpaid administrative leave.
According to a federal affidavit, Wilson has been convicted of crimes on four occasions between 1996 and 2001, including assault, bribery, breaking and entering, and shoplifting. Yet Lachance said nothing in his file indicates Wilson was ever punished by former Chief Ronald M. Churchill.
"That certainly isn't my standard," said Lachance, who was named chief in July 2010 and called Wilson's arrest an "isolated" incident. "Since I wasn't the chief at that time, I would have some concerns about what may or may not have been tolerated. "
Churchill did not return multiple messages left at his home in recent days.
Wilson, who appeared in court as his mother, father, girlfriend and other family looked on, is facing charges of possession with the intent to distribute after police say he bought more than $1,000 worth of oxycodone pills from a federal informant. He is also accused of selling steroids to the informant while using his girlfriend as a go-between, authorities said.
Wilson's attorney, Jessica Hedges, declined to comment, saying it was too early in the case. City Councilor Richard Conti called Wilson's arrest a "major embarrassment" for a city already reeling from a police drug scandal.
"I'm sure there's more to do with the story," Conti said of Wilson. "I would like to hear it."
Copyright 2012 - Boston Herald
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
