Ralph Crozier pleaded not guilty to federal money laundering charges in Bridgeport Wednesday, then received an odd warning from the judge handling the proceeding — don’t do drugs while out on bond.
Crozier, a lawyer who lives in Oxford and has a practice based in downtown Seymour, was arrested in April after federal agents allegedly convinced a drug-dealing client of Crozier to be a cooperating witness against him.
The client, who is not named in court documents, allegedly told federal agents that he had given Crozier $30,000 of drug dealing proceeds to invest in a solar power company.
The client said Crozier knew the money came from drug dealing, according to federal prosecutors.
Crozier was arrested April 11 after a sting at his office during which another cooperating witness gave him $11,000 more to invest.
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Marijuana Isn’t Legal
The day after his arrest in April, Crozier was released after posting $200,000 bond in the case.
Among the conditions of his release were that he “not use or unlawfully possess a narcotic drug or other controlled substances” and that he also submit to drug testing.
During Crozier’s arraignment Wednesday before U.S. District Judge Holly Fitzsimmons, federal prosecutors did not ask the judge to modify the conditions of release.
But Judge Fitzsimmons said Crozier had violated those conditions since his arrest.
She didn’t specify in open court which condition Crozier allegedly violated, but relayed a conversation between Crozier and a federal probation official during which Crozier allegedly said marijuana “isn’t illegal in Connecticut.”
Judge Fitzsimmons then leveled her eyes directly at Crozier.
“It’s still illegal in the United States,” she said. “I want to be absolutely clear that a condition of your bond is no use of controlled substances, and that includes marijuana.”
The judge then asked Crozier if he understood.
“Yes, your honor,” he replied.
The judge also said Crozier had been referred to a drug treatment program in New Haven.
Neither Crozier nor his lawyer, Michael Hillis, commented while leaving the courthouse Wednesday (see the video above, Crozier is on the right).
Judge Fitzsimmons said the case would from Wednesday forward be handled by U.S. District Court Judge Janet C. Hall.
Crozier faces one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments and one count of attempt to launder monetary instruments.
Each count carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison.
