Sergeant in Sheriff's Office Arraigned on Drug Charges

A Somerville man was arrested and charged with trafficking cocaine while working for the Middlesex County Sheriff's Department was arraigned in Woburn District Court Tuesday morning.

The Middlesex District Attorney's office reported that the defendant, Michael Dell’Isola, 51, was ordered held on $1,000 cash bail with the condition that he stays away from the Sheriff’s Department by Judge Paul Yee.

His next court date is June 8 for a probable cause hearing.

According to Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone, Dell’Isola was charged with receiving cocaine from an undercover state trooper during an investigation.

“This defendant is alleged to have accepted illegal narcotics and money from an undercover state trooper this afternoon, in violation of the public trust placed in all employees who engage in the care, custody and control of prisoners," said Leone in a statement Monday. “I commend the work of the Massachusetts State Police and investigators from the Middlesex Sheriff's Department who uncovered this defendant’s illegal actions.”

 “Upon being appointed Sheriff, I promised to restore public confidence in this proud and historic department,” said Middlesex Sheriff Peter Koutoujian.  “The arrest today of Sergeant Michael Dell’Isola is a direct result of this commitment."

Authorities report that after receiving an anonymous tip, the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office conducted a thorough investigation into allegations surrounding the actions of Dell'Isola.

According to Koutoujian, the Sheriff Department's Internal Affairs unit immediately turned over the information to Leone's office, coordinating with the state police during the investigation.

Dell’Isola has been employed by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office for 28 years and has been suspended pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation.

"If these allegations are true, the actions of one officer should not taint the good work performed each day by the dedicated men and women of the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office," said Koutoujian. "I would like to thank the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and the State Police for their quick response to our investigation.”

Authorities maintain that the Massachusetts State Police assigned to the D.A.’s office received a tip-off about the defendant’s illegal activities, spurring an investigation that began in April. Yesterday’s arrest was the conclusion of the investigation; the defendant allegedly accepted cocaine and $500. Once in custody he was transported for booking to the Medford State Police Barracks.

These charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty, said the D.A.'s office in its statement.