Aberdeen Police Lieutenant Sentenced In Drug Case

ABERDEEN, MD — The Aberdeen police lieutenant who was accused of stealing drugs from the Aberdeen Police Department was sentenced to 10 years in jail, but all was suspended, officials reported on Friday.

Daniel E. Gosnell, 38, pleaded guilty to misconduct in office and possession of a controlled and dangerous substance. According to a statement of facts read into the record, Gosnell stole and consumed cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, oxycodone and oxycontin from prescription drug drop-off boxes and from the department's evidence room from February 2016 to August 2017.

Although Judge Barbara K. Howe suspended the officer's jail time at Friday's plea hearing, Gosnell will be on supervised probation for three years, must continue in drug treatment and has to do 200 hours of community service, the Office of the State Prosecutor said.

"Police officers take an oath to uphold the law, and actions and behavior in violation of that oath and the public trust are intolerable," State Prosecutor Emmet C. Davitt said in a statement.

His attorney said her client, who was the youngest officer in the Aberdeen Police Department to be promoted to lieutenant, suffered from a disease.

"Tragically, like many Americans, he became addicted to prescription pain medication," Gosnell's attorney, Karen Jones, said in a statement. "He is the face of a national epidemic that is of epic proportions....The disease of addiction does not discriminate, whether you are a judge, lawyer, priest, mechanic or even a police officer."

Gosnell participated in a residential treatment program and was abstaining from drugs while continuing with therapy, Jones said.

Related:

• Drugs Stolen From Drop-Off Boxes By Aberdeen Officer, Prosecutor Says
• Commander Suspended For Evidence Tampering: Aberdeen Police

The department began investigating Gosnell after allegations of criminal misconduct were made against the lieutenant on Wednesday, Aug. 2.

Aberdeen Police Chief Henry Trabert announced on Thursday, Aug. 3, that he asked Maryland State Police to oversee the criminal and administrative investigation to allow for an impartial handling of the case.

Trabert said that the incident led to the roll-out of a more robust drug testing program within the department and an overhaul of current procedures to make access to evidence more regulated.

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