A Sergeant with the Middlesex Sheriff’s Department has been found guilty on charges that he received cocaine and money from an undercover state trooper, Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone informed the public.

Michael Dell’Isola, 52, of Somerville, was found guilty today on a charge of possession of cocaine following a six day jury trial in Middlesex Superior Court.  Middlesex Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Fahey sentenced the defendant to one year in the House of Correction, six months to be served with the balance suspended for five years and the following conditions of probation: must attend drug treatment program, seek fulltime employment, no drug use, and submit to random drug screenings.

“This defendant abused his position of authority by participating in illegal drug activities while on duty as a Sergeant in the Middlesex Sheriff’s Department,” District Attorney Leone said.  “With today’s verdict, the defendant is held responsible for betraying the public’s trust through his actions.

According to authorities, in April 2011, Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office received information that the defendant was pressuring an inmate while on duty to provide him with money and cocaine.

Based on this information, the State Police began an investigation. Following several phone calls in which the defendant told the undercover state trooper he wanted money and drugs, the defendant and undercover officer made arrangements to meet. On May 2, the defendant met with an undercover state trooper at a Woburn coffee shop. They had a brief conversation about money and cocaine at which time the trooper handed the defendant a coffee cup containing $500 and cocaine. The defendant took possession of the coffee cup and walked out of the store, where he was arrested by police.

The defendant was arraigned on May 3, 2011 in Woburn District Court where Judge Paul Yee ordered the defendant held on $1,000 cash bail with the condition that he stays away from the Sheriff’s Department.  He was indicted by a Middlesex Grand Jury on June 2, 2011 and arraigned July 5, 2011 in Middlesex Superior Court.  The defendant was terminated from the Sheriff’s Department.

The prosecutor assigned to the case is Assistant District Attorney Stephen Gilpatric.  This case was investigated by Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and investigators from the Middlesex Sheriff’s Department.

_______________________________________

Statement of Middlesex Sheriff Peter Koutoujian regarding the conviction of former corrections officer

“After receiving an anonymous tip, the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office conducted an investigation into allegations of drug use by Sergeant Michael Dell’Isola. Our internal affairs unit immediately turned over information gathered during its probe to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and worked hand in hand with the State Police throughout the subsequent investigation.

The actions of Mr. Dell’Isola in this case are troubling, but they should not be allowed to taint the good work performed each and every day by the dedicated men and women of the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office.

I would like to thank the Massachusetts State Police and District Attorney Gerry Leone and his staff for their hard work and professionalism throughout this case.”