SALEM — A Witch City defense attorney was arrested yesterday afternoon after police with a search warrant entered his residence and discovered scales and hundreds of dollars worth of cocaine.
James R. Willis, 35, of 20 Pingree St., first floor, Salem, was arrested at 4:40 p.m. at his home. He was charged with possession of a Class B substance (cocaine) with intent to distribute and possession with intent to distribute in a school zone.
According to Salem Detective Bill Jennings, Willis' residence is "a rock's throw" from Salem Academy Charter School.
"We entered the house and began to read him his Miranda rights," Jennings said last night. However, Jennings said Willis replied that he already knows his rights, since he is a lawyer.
"Anything I have is in my top drawer," Willis told detectives, according to Jennings, who added that the suspect was cooperative throughout the search.
Police found sandwich bags and tinfoil balls containing 8 to 10 grams of white, powdered cocaine, as well as scales and an unspecified amount of cash. Jennings said Willis said he had a few customers that he sold to, though no further information about that was available last night.
Jennings said several other people were in Willis' home at the time of his arrest, but none is believed to have been involved in Willis' alleged drug activity.
The cocaine seized has a street value of about $500 or $600, Jennings said.
Jennings would not say last night what sort of information led detectives to obtain a search warrant for Willis' home.
Willis was being held at the police station last night pending his arraignment Tuesday in Salem District Court.
In addition to Jennings, a number of other detectives were involved in the investigation and arrest. Detective Sgt. Stephen Bona led the investigation, assisted by Eric Connolly, Dennis Gaudette, Jack Doyle, Peter Baglioni, Capt. Thomas Griffin and Sgt. James Page.
— John F.J. Sullivan
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