Boston, MA... A Pembroke resident was indicted yesterday for his role in distributing Oxycontin pills in violation of the federal drug laws.

United States Attorney Michael J. Sullivan, Warren T. Bamford, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation - New England Field Division and Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis announced today that CHRISTOPHER COOK, age 28, of 28 West Street, Pembroke, Massachusetts, was indicted for possession and attempted possession with intent to distribute and distribution of Oxycontin pills, a Schedule II controlled substance.

The two-count indictment alleges that COOK, a former First Circuit employee and current applicant to the Boston Police Department (who had not been hired), sold Oxycontin pills on about January 28, 2008. Count 2 of the indictment alleges that COOK attempted to possess Oxycontin pills with the intent to distribute them on March 13, 2008. As evidence at COOK's March 18, 2008 detention hearing showed, COOK attempted to steal what he thought were 1200 Oxycontin pills from a drug source. He was caught on video tape and arrested. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of COOK's houses, car, and cash.

COOK was arrested on March 13, 2008 on a criminal complaint and is currently detained. If convicted of these two charges in the indictment, COOK faces a maximum penalty of 20 years’ incarceration, a $1,000,000 fine and 5 years of supervised release on each count.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Boston Police Department's Anti-Corruption Unit. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia M. Carris in Sullivan’s Public Corruption and Special Prosecutions Unit.