An ex-state trooper who says he “let the citizens of the Commonwealth down,” along with his participation in a Industrial Driver’s License bribery scheme, goes to jail for 3 months, a shorter jail sentence than the 15 months that federal prosecutors sought.
U.S. District Courtroom Choose Indira Talwani has sentenced Halifax man Calvin Butner, 64, to 3 months in jail, to be adopted by one 12 months of supervised launch with the primary three months in house confinement.
The Massachusetts U.S. Legal professional’s workplace was looking for a sentence of 15 months in federal jail, one 12 months of supervised launch, and the necessary particular evaluation of $900.
“Sentencing in this type of case is extremely difficult,” Talwani mentioned on the Seaport federal courthouse on Tuesday. “What I see here … (is) a long career of service, but at the end of that, to have gotten the circumstance is a truly difficult situation to be in.”
“You’re in this position of trust and a position of authority,” the decide instructed Butner, “and the requirements of doing the job right are not to do those favors, and that you can’t cut corners for anybody.”
Talwani didn’t impose a fantastic in opposition to Butner, who collects pension greater than $72,000 a 12 months. In 2022, Butner took house almost $160,000 — together with $102,712 in base pay and $57,180 in different pay.
Throughout the sentencing, Butner referred to as his actions “terrible.”
He pleaded responsible in April to 1 depend of conspiracy to falsify data, three counts of falsifying data and aiding and abetting and 5 counts of creating false statements.
“I have apologized to God, I have apologized to my family,” Butner mentioned Tuesday. “The actions that I took, I do not take them lightly. … I understand the weight of what I did and how egregious it was.”
A CDL is required to drive a industrial car, comparable to a tractor-trailer, field truck, or faculty bus. A CDL applicant should show that they’ve detailed data of business autos, and so they additionally need to carry out sure maneuvers and safely drive on public roadways, together with a freeway.
Butner’s lawyer, William H. Connolly, in his sentencing memo, wrote that his consumer acknowledges the seriousness of his conduct and mentioned he has accepted full accountability for his actions.
Butner and different members of the Mass State Police CDL Unit gave preferential therapy to no less than 17 CDL candidates by agreeing to offer passing scores on their CDL assessments no matter whether or not they really handed.
Among the candidates included Butner’s childhood pal, a employee at a fence firm the place Butner was a buyer, and mutual acquaintances. Butner and the co-defendants used the code phrase “golden” to establish these candidates.
“For over 40 years, I prided myself on being a good officer, doing the right thing,” Butner mentioned through the sentencing. “I by no means had any points; I had executed over 40,000 assessments.
“At the end of my career, I got lazy,” he added. “I didn’t do the right thing, and I let the citizens of the Commonwealth down.”
Federal prosecutors pointed to a collection of feedback that Butner texted to a co-conspirator about candidates, revealing how he joked concerning the conspiracy.
One included: “This guys a mess. . . . Lol. He owes u a prime rib 6inch.”
Butner is claimed to have given passing scores to 3 candidates who failed the CDL take a look at and to 5 candidates who didn’t take the take a look at in any respect.
“Your honor, that is corruption, plain and simple,” Assistant U.S. Legal professional Adam Deitch instructed Talwani through the sentencing.
Butner was charged in a 74-count indictment together with 5 others within the conspiracy in January 2024. His sentencing marks the second associated to the scheme.
Talwani sentenced former state trooper Perry Mendes, 64, of Wareham, final week to 1 month in jail, to be adopted by one 12 months of supervised launch with the primary two months on house confinement.
Butner obtained a number of letters of help from members of the family and pals, who wrote to the federal decide forward of sentencing. His daughter Tanya Figueroa described her father as “someone who has spent a lifetime following rules, taking orders, and bearing the burden of responsibility — often quietly, always completely.”
Earlier than she issued the sentencing, Talwani instructed Butner, “I do have to think about who you are and your personal history and characteristics. Your family here, and the letters I have is a real testament to that. People have really said you who are.”
Initially Revealed:
