A Brockton man nearly tried, but failed, to flush his way out of another clash with the law. Edmund Kelsey, a 26-year-old from Brockton with a history of drug offenses, was arrested and is facing federal charges for alleged drug trafficking. On a routine search of his home on October 30, law enforcement found a stash of fentanyl pills, drug paraphernalia, and more evidence of illegal activities.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Massachusetts, Kelsey locked himself inside his residence when officers arrived and allegedly tried to flush hundreds of grams of multi-colored pills down the toilet. Some of the pills tested positive for a fentanyl/methamphetamine compound. Kelsey, already on GPS monitoring for two pending drug trafficking cases, was taken into custody.
The search uncovered narcotics, a respirator mask, cutting agents, over 1,000 grams of marijuana, about ten cell phones, and more than $1,000 in cash. Kelsey faces a federal charge of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, carrying a minimum sentence of ten years, up to life in prison, fines, and supervised release.
Kelsey, who previously served five years for drug and firearms convictions, now faces federal charges that could result in a longer prison term and supervised release. U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley emphasized the seriousness of the charge but noted that Kelsey is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The FBI, Brockton Police, and Massachusetts State Police collaborated on the investigation leading to his arrest.
The federal court in Boston will hear Kelsey’s case, with his alleged drug activities while under house arrest expected to be a key focus. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Cutshall and Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit will prosecute the case.
