Taunton Man Guilty of Drug Trafficking and Assaulting Police

A 36-year-old Taunton man with a criminal history gained a three-year prison sentence after pleading guilty last week to cocaine trafficking and assaulting police officers, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

Edward Green on Friday admitted to two counts of assault and battery on a police officer, and one count each of trafficking over 18 grams of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and resisting arrest.

On June 4, 2018, Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit officers obtained a search warrant for Green's 101 Whittenton Street home after conducting two controlled buys of crack cocaine. Two days later, Green was out front smoking a cigarette when police arrived. He ran back into the apartment and into the bathroom. That's where police say they found a Coca Cola can in the toilet with a false top. Inside the can were red square pills marked "Insta-Gram" and containers of white powder that proved to be crack cocaine.

Green fled into the the kitchen where he punched and kicked two troopers who tried to arrest him. After being told to comply, the defendant said, "F*ck that, I'm not going anywhere," according to a statement from the DA's office.

Once handcuffed, Green screamed profanities at the officers, who then cuffed his legs. Four officers carried him to the cruiser for transport. During the ride, police say Green repeatedly tried to kick out the door and window of the cruiser.

More drugs, paraphernalia, and $732 in cash were found in the apartment. Green was originally booked on a firearm charge as well.

Green's adult criminal history includes a 2014 conviction in Norfolk Superior Court for possession with intent to distribute cocaine. On that same indictment, he received probation for assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest. The defendant violated his probation on both counts and landed back behind bars.

In 2009, Green was convicted on drug charges and received concurrent sentences for a controlled substance violation in a school zone, possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition, improper storage of a firearm, and being an armed career criminal.

Also in 2009, the defendant was convicted on two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault with dangerous weapon, discharge of a firearm within 500 feet of a building, firearm possession, assault and battery, and resisting arrest, the DA's office said.

The defendant’s other convictions involve possession with intent to distribute cocaine, drug possession, and motor vehicle offenses.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Michael Cahillane and the two-to-three-year state prison sentence was imposed by Judge Thomas J. Perrino.

"I am pleased the court convicted the defendant for trafficking in cocaine.  He did everything he could to obstruct the police from discovering the cocaine and taking him into custody.  ​ The defendant has a prior history and this sentence was warranted to protect the public,"  District Attorney Quinn said.