DRUG CHARGES DROPPED AGAINST EX-COP

The County Attorney's Office has dropped drug charges against a
former Tucson police officer after he agreed to give up his state
peace officer's certification and undergo 10 hours of counseling.

Estevan A. Marquez, 38, was arrested by fellow officers Oct. 17
after two urine tests showed cocaine in his system, Lt. Vicki Reza
said at the time.

She said Marquez, a TPD officer for 11 years, was given required
drug tests after colliding with another patrol car earlier that day.

After the arrest, a search of Marquez's locker came up with a small
amount of cocaine and marijuana, Reza said.

The midtown patrol officer was jailed and released on his own
recognizance on suspicion of possession of a narcotic drug,
marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

The department planned to fire Marquez at 3:30 p.m. Nov. 9, police
spokesman Sgt. Decio Hopffer said, but the officer came to police
headquarters and resigned his job at 9 a.m. that day.

Charges in the case were dismissed Monday in Pima County
Consolidated Justice Court, said Marquez's attorney, Michael L.
Piccarreta. If Marquez completes the counseling, prosecutors have
agreed not to have the charges refiled.

Piccarreta said Marquez has denied ever taking illegal drugs and the
attorney said the drug tests results were inaccurate.

As to the drugs found in Marquez's locker, Piccarreta said Marquez
seized them as part evidence in an investigation, but at the end of
the day forgot to check them into the police evidence section,
inadvertently leaving them in his locker.

The attorney added that Marquez had documented the drug seizure in a report.

"It's a minute amount of drugs," Piccarreta said.

By giving up his peace officer's certification, Marquez cannot work
as a law enforcement officer in Arizona.