Pubdate: Wed, 26 Jul 2006
Source: Republican, The (Springfield, MA)
Copyright: 2006 The Republican
Contact:  http://www.masslive.com/republican/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3075
Author: Nancy H. Gonter
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

INMATE - COCAINE USED TO BUY SOAP

NORTHAMPTON - A former Chicopee man yesterday admitted he arranged 
for cocaine to be brought into the Hampshire jail, but his lawyer 
said he did it to purchase soap and toothpaste.

"When a person can't wash appropriately, they need to get money to 
wash," defense lawyer David Roundtree said.

However, a jail official said that basic hygiene supplies are 
provided to inmates who cannot afford to purchase them.

David Barbosa, 31, pleaded guilty in Hampshire Superior Court to 
delivering drugs to a correctional facility and possession of cocaine 
with intent to distribute. He admitted he arranged for his wife, 
Julie Stoi-Barbosa, formerly of Chelsea, to bring a $10 bag of 
cocaine to the jail and exchange it through a kiss.

Judge C. Brian McDonald delayed sentencing until Aug. 1 to allow 
Barbosa to make arrangements for the care of the couple's 18-month-old son.

Assistant District Attorney Michael A. Cahillane asked that Barbosa 
be sentenced to three years in state prison, while Roundtree asked 
for one year, the mandatory minimum.

Hampshire Deputy Sheriff Patrick J. Cahillane said yesterday that 
basic hygiene products are provided to individuals who do not have 
the financial resources to purchase them.

He said he could not comment specifically on Barbosa's case.

In an interview, Roundtree said that jail-provided products are poor quality.

"To get any sort of name brand product or any quality toiletry, you 
have to pay for it. He wanted to brush his teeth with Crest instead 
of a low-grade product," Roundtree said.

Prosecutor Cahillane, who is a cousin of Patrick Cahillane, said that 
on Oct. 17, 2005, Stoi-Barbosa, who is now serving a one-year 
sentence for her involvement, brought a bag of cocaine in a balloon 
under her tongue during a visit.

After authorities learned that there was cocaine in the facility, 
they searched the cell of another inmate and found white powder 
residue on a desk that was determined to be cocaine, Cahillane said.

Charges against that inmate, Philip A. Bacon, 24, of 121 South St., 
Williamsburg, are still pending.

In asking for the three-year sentence, Cahillane called Barbosa's 
actions "a very serious offense."

"Our (sentencing) recommendation sends a message that introduction of 
drugs into a correctional facility will not be tolerated," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman