Police department lawyer is jailed by own client on suspicion of drug and weapon crimes
A lawyer for the Salt Lake City police department has been arrested on suspicion of drug and weapon crimes by employees of his own client.
James Wesley Robinson, 50, was arrested and jailed along with two adult sons after a search of his home Tuesday, the Salt Lake Tribune reports. A subsequent Salt Lake Tribune article provides additional details.
Booking documents at the jail say law enforcement officers found an unspecified “large quantity” of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, cash and four firearms during the search of Robinson’s home after a burglary call. Police got a warrant to search the house after spotting sufficient evidence to justify it during the burglary investigation, Sgt. Robin Heiden told the newspaper. He said it is illegal to possess firearms along with prohibited drugs.
Robinson was booked on suspicion of cocaine possession, marijuana possession with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia and illegal weapons possession. His two sons, 18 and 21, were booked on suspicion of drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. Heiden said it is possible the charges will be upgraded, although that has not yet occurred, because the home is within 1,000 feet of an elementary school.
Robinson worked as an assistant state attorney general before becoming a city employee in 2000. He has handled civil matters for the police department for the past year and works in the city’s public safety building.
