PRISON DRUG DEAL ALLEGED IN BILLERICA

An inmate has been charged in federal court with three counts of trying to
acquire and sell heroin in the Billerica jail, with a guard's help. Russell
Chiary Jr., 43, of Somerville, was charged June 18 in an indictment
detailing the alleged scheme, the US attorney's office said yesterday in a
statement.

From December 2002 to March, the indictment alleges, Chiary conspired with
others, including former corrections officer Mark O'Brien, to smuggle
heroin into the Billerica House of Correction, in exchange for OxyContin, a
prescription pain reliever.

Details of the case were in an affidavit filed in a related case by
O'Brien, the former prison guard, who authorities said admitted planning to
help Chiary smuggle drugs into the prison. O'Brien, 42, of North Billerica,
pleaded guilty June 5 before Chief US District Judge William G. Young to
conspiracy to distribute and possess heroin. He is to be sentenced July 22.

When authorities learned of the alleged plan to sell drugs in the jail,
they planted an undercover agent to act as the supply source for
Chiary. The agent contacted O'Brien and arranged to deliver him a quantity
of heroin, which O'Brien intended to sneak into prison. On March 26,
according to the indictment, the agent met O'Brien, gave him the heroin
along with a payment of OxyContin, and arrested him.

Chiary, who is being held at the Plymouth House of Correction, could face
up to 20 years in prison if convicted, followed by three years supervised
release and a $1 million fine, authorities said.

Middlesex County Sheriff Jim DiPaola said inmates' efforts to befriend
corrections officers are a "constant risk that we have to be aware of."