Pro-Legalization Judge Held on Cocaine Charge
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CLEVELAND — A judge who has said he favors legalizing drugs has been charged with attempting to distribute cocaine.
Common Pleas Judge Michael Gallagher, 39, appeared in handcuffs before a federal magistrate Friday and was released pending an Aug. 21 hearing. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1-million fine.
Court papers said an undercover drug agent met with him July 21 and watched him smoke crack. Several days later, the agent says he was invited to the judge’s house to buy cocaine.
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