Catalina Camia and Donna Leinwand Leger , USA TODAY 8:38 a.m. EST November 20, 2013
Rep. Trey Radel, R-Fla.(Photo: J. Scott Applewhite, AP)
[h=3]Story Highlights[/h]
WASHINGTON -- Rep. Trey Radel, a freshman Republican from Florida, will appear in court Wednesday on charges that he possessed cocaine.
The lawmaker was caught buying drugs in what a senior Drug Enforcement Administration official described as a sting operation that was part of an investigation by several federal agencies into a drug ring in the nation's capital. A drug dealer who told law enforcement officials that one of his customers was a member of Congress helped set up a buy on Oct. 29 and Radel bought the cocaine, the official said.
The DEA official was not authorized to speak publicly about the case.
Radel will appear this morning in District of Columbia Superior Court before Judge Robert Tignor.
The charge is a misdemeanor and carries a maximum sentence of 180 days in prison and/or a fine of $1,000, the U.S. attorney's office said in a statement.
The arrest of Radel, who was elected last year in a solidly Republican district in the Fort Myers-Naples area, rocked Congress and Southwest Florida. The congressman's arrest comes as Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has been stripped of his powers by the City Council for smoking crack, drinking and boorish behavior.
Radel, 37, issued a statement Tuesday expressing remorse, explaining that he struggles with alcoholism and that his arrest gives him the opportunity to seek treatment and counseling.
"This led to an extremely irresponsible choice," Radel said in his statement. "Believe me, I am disappointed in myself, and I stand ready to face the consequences of my actions."
On Radel's Facebook page Tuesday night, there were posts that were both supportive and angry. While some people gave him credit for taking responsibility for his actions, others blasted him for his behavior.
Contributing: Ledyard King, Gannett Washington Bureau
Rep. Trey Radel, R-Fla.(Photo: J. Scott Applewhite, AP)
[h=3]Story Highlights[/h]
- Florida congressman was caught in sting operation
- Radel, 37, was elected to Florida district last year with Tea Party support
- He says he struggles with alcoholism and made 'an extremely irresponsible choice'
WASHINGTON -- Rep. Trey Radel, a freshman Republican from Florida, will appear in court Wednesday on charges that he possessed cocaine.
The lawmaker was caught buying drugs in what a senior Drug Enforcement Administration official described as a sting operation that was part of an investigation by several federal agencies into a drug ring in the nation's capital. A drug dealer who told law enforcement officials that one of his customers was a member of Congress helped set up a buy on Oct. 29 and Radel bought the cocaine, the official said.
The DEA official was not authorized to speak publicly about the case.
Radel will appear this morning in District of Columbia Superior Court before Judge Robert Tignor.
The charge is a misdemeanor and carries a maximum sentence of 180 days in prison and/or a fine of $1,000, the U.S. attorney's office said in a statement.
The arrest of Radel, who was elected last year in a solidly Republican district in the Fort Myers-Naples area, rocked Congress and Southwest Florida. The congressman's arrest comes as Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has been stripped of his powers by the City Council for smoking crack, drinking and boorish behavior.
Radel, 37, issued a statement Tuesday expressing remorse, explaining that he struggles with alcoholism and that his arrest gives him the opportunity to seek treatment and counseling.
"This led to an extremely irresponsible choice," Radel said in his statement. "Believe me, I am disappointed in myself, and I stand ready to face the consequences of my actions."
On Radel's Facebook page Tuesday night, there were posts that were both supportive and angry. While some people gave him credit for taking responsibility for his actions, others blasted him for his behavior.
Contributing: Ledyard King, Gannett Washington Bureau