Embattled Defense Attorney Warned Not to Do Drugs, Report States

A federal judge has given local attorney Ralph Crozier a warning not to do drugs while he is out on bond.

The Valley Independent Sentinel reports that the Oxford resident and attorney was told that after he pleaded not guilty to money laundering charges at federal court in Bridgeport. 

Crozier, 61, is a criminal and divorce attorney who practices in Seymour. He is accused of convincing a client to invest $30,000 in a solar energy company, although he knew that the client's cash was derived from his client's narcotics trafficking activities.

As alleged in court documents, Crozier was arrested at his office on April 11, 2013, after he allegedly accepted an additional $11,000 in purported drug proceeds to invest on behalf of his client, according to a news release from the federal government.

The indictment, which was returned on June 11, 2013, charges Crozier with one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments and one count of attempt to launder monetary instruments. Each charge carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison and a fine of $1 million.

Crozier is currently released on a $200,000 bond.