Post by KC on Sept 23, 2006 20:02:51 GMT -5
Septmeber 23, 2006 - A Richfield police officer with hundreds of dollars in his pockets pulled his Jaguar into a Burger King parking lot where he was handed cocaine in a brown paper bag, according to criminal charges filed Friday.
Officer Robert M. Nielsen stowed the cocaine in his car trunk before authorities arrested him inside the restaurant, the document said.
Nielsen, 48, of Prior Lake, made his first appearance in Hennepin County District Court on Friday on a charge of second-degree possession of a controlled substance. Bail was set at $30,000.
Assistant County Attorney Douglas Myren said in court that the charge showed a serious violation of public trust by Nielsen, a Richfield police officer since 1993.
Myren also said there are concerns about Nielsen's mental health, his personal safety, and his use of cocaine and possibly other illegal drugs.
In defense of Nielsen, attorney Julie Nelson said he has a wife and six children. She said that another attorney, Fredric Bruno, has arranged for a chemical dependency assessment.
According to the criminal complaint, a man identified as a "cooperating defendant" informed Nielsen in a recorded telephone conversation that he had 14 grams of cocaine (about half an ounce) that they had discussed. And Nielsen said he had $450 in cash. They met at the restaurant at Nicollet Avenue and Interstate Hwy. 494 at 4 p.m. Wednesday. The complaint said authorities found $450 in Nielsen's pockets.
District Judge William Howard asked that Nielsen be kept under close watch while he remains jailed.
Nielsen's next court appearance was scheduled for Oct. 13. He is on paid administrative leave.
www.startribune.com/467/story/696117.html
Officer Robert M. Nielsen stowed the cocaine in his car trunk before authorities arrested him inside the restaurant, the document said.
Nielsen, 48, of Prior Lake, made his first appearance in Hennepin County District Court on Friday on a charge of second-degree possession of a controlled substance. Bail was set at $30,000.
Assistant County Attorney Douglas Myren said in court that the charge showed a serious violation of public trust by Nielsen, a Richfield police officer since 1993.
Myren also said there are concerns about Nielsen's mental health, his personal safety, and his use of cocaine and possibly other illegal drugs.
In defense of Nielsen, attorney Julie Nelson said he has a wife and six children. She said that another attorney, Fredric Bruno, has arranged for a chemical dependency assessment.
According to the criminal complaint, a man identified as a "cooperating defendant" informed Nielsen in a recorded telephone conversation that he had 14 grams of cocaine (about half an ounce) that they had discussed. And Nielsen said he had $450 in cash. They met at the restaurant at Nicollet Avenue and Interstate Hwy. 494 at 4 p.m. Wednesday. The complaint said authorities found $450 in Nielsen's pockets.
District Judge William Howard asked that Nielsen be kept under close watch while he remains jailed.
Nielsen's next court appearance was scheduled for Oct. 13. He is on paid administrative leave.
www.startribune.com/467/story/696117.html