Why Would a Successful Seattle Defense Attorney Want To Smuggle Drugs Into Local Jail?
A Seattle defense attorney is accused of sneaking meth, opioids, and more into jail disguised as shoes and paper. 🌐 #News #SeattleWA #Washington #Crime
SEATTLE, WA – When people think of defense attorneys, they imagine advocates for justice—not suspects in a drug-smuggling ring. But one Seattle lawyer is now at the center of a scandal involving methamphetamine, opioids, and even drug-laced trial clothes.
John M. Sheeran, a 60-year-old defense attorney, has been charged with conspiring to distribute controlled substances and illegally smuggling drugs into the King County Correctional Facility (KCCF) during client visits. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon announced the charges on Wednesday.
Drugs Disguised as Paper, Tobacco, and Shoes
Prosecutors say Sheeran smuggled several types of contraband—including methamphetamine, buprenorphine (a synthetic opioid), ketamine, and THC—into the jail while meeting with his clients. The drugs were hidden creatively, soaked into sheets of paper, stashed in chewing tobacco cans, and even concealed in the soles of shoes meant for trial appearances.
Once the drugs were in the facility, Sheeran’s clients allegedly worked with other co-conspirators to distribute them to inmates throughout the jail. Authorities are treating this case as part of a broader conspiracy to traffic illegal substances inside the correctional system.
Arrest, Plea, and Upcoming Trial
Sheeran was taken into custody without incident on Monday. At his arraignment the same day, he pleaded not guilty to all charges. He was released from custody, but he faces a federal jury trial scheduled to begin on December 20.
If convicted, Sheeran could face a lengthy prison sentence—up to 20 years behind bars—along with a mandatory three years of supervised release. He also risks a fine that could reach $1 million.
Trust in Question as Trial Looms
This case raises serious concerns about trust and integrity in the legal profession. As the trial approaches, legal experts and community members alike are left wondering: How could someone sworn to uphold the law become embroiled in such a shocking scheme?
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