FORMER DEPUTY MARSHAL PLEADS GUILTY TO COCAINE POSSESSION

As part of the plea agreement, the ex-lawman will be put on probation for a
year.

Joseph Bruer Jr., a suspended deputy U.S. marshal until this week, faced as
much as ten years in prison for possessing the gram of cocaine that Salem
police found in his car in March.

But Bruer is likely to avoid conviction and prison altogether, even though
he pleaded guilty to cocaine possession in a Salem courtroom Friday.

Instead of imprisonment for the former federal lawman, a plea agreement
accepted by Circuit Judge Robert "Pat" Doherty will put Bruer on probation
for a year, suspend his driver's license and require community service and
completion of a drug treatment program.

If Bruer, 50, complies with the plea agreement terms, the judge will dismiss
the felony charge.

The case started when the Salem police got a tip.

"Because of Bruer's position in law enforcement [police] took this very
seriously," Salem Commonwealth's Attorney Fred King said.

On March 20, Lauryn Green, whom "Mr. Bruer was having some sort of
relationship with," tipped police about the cocaine, King told Doherty.
Police acted immediately.

The day after the tip, police approached Bruer in a parking lot as he left
his car for the Lakeside Kroger store, King said. Police found about a gram
of cocaine under the seat of Bruer's vehicle. Green also was in the car at
the time, King said.

Bruer was suspended from his job after his arrest and retired from his post
as a U.S. marshal this week, according to his attorney David Damico.

Bruer, of Salem, must be employed or in school full time during his
probation. His driver's license will be suspended for six months. He must
undergo and pay for drug treatment and remain free of drugs and alcohol for
a year.

Although Bruer may avoid conviction through the agreement, any subsequent
drug charge could count as a second conviction, Doherty said. The judge
called the plea deal a very favorable agreement for Bruer.

The Marshal's Service provides federal courtroom security, transports
prisoners, searches for fugitives and assists law enforcement.