Former Police Officer Arraigned on Serious Charges

A former police officer and his younger brother were arraigned Thursday on serious charges involving drug trafficking and breaking into the department in Somerville, Massachusetts.

Samuel Stanford, 28, was a Somerville Police officer for less than two years before he was fired on July 23 for alleged drug problems. Prosecutors say on Aug. 3, he was seen in surveillance footage illegally entering the police headquarters through a back entrance before he broke into the men's locker room.

It is believed Stanford took a police handgun, which was reported missing the following day, with him.

Tuesday, police searched the home of Stanford and his brother, 25-year-old Edward Stanford. They found heroin, about 150 Percocet tablets containing Oxycodone, ammo and $20,000 in cash.

Police say they also recovered the missing firearm.

Samuel Stanford is charged with breaking and entering to commit a felony, possession with intent to distribute Oxycodone, possession of heroin and possession of ammo without an FID card. Edward Stanford faces all the same charges except for breaking and entering.

The former officer's lawyer says he has battled drug problems and is well-established in the community.

Bail for Samuel Stanford was set at $25,000. His brother's bail was set at $500.

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