Ex-city attorney charged in drug case considering plea deal


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SALT LAKE CITY — An attorney with the Salt Lake City Police Department accused of making and selling drugs with his two sons waived a preliminary hearing Tuesday in anticipation of making a plea deal with prosecutors.

James Robinson, 51, and his two sons, Alexander Robinson, 21, and Zachary Robinson, 19, were arrested on Feb. 19 after police found drug paraphernalia and firearms in their home, 1955 E. Bryan Ave. They were released after posting bail two days later.

The three men were each charged in 3rd District Court with operation of a clandestine laboratory, a first-degree felony; possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, a second-degree felony; and possession or use of a controlled substance, a class A misdemeanor.

James Robinson was also charged with four counts of possession of a firearm by a restricted person, a third-degree felony; and possession of drug paraphernalia, a class A misdemeanor.

The cases were bound over Tuesday after the three men waived preliminary hearings in anticipation of a possible resolution with prosecutors.

"We've made the initial offer, and they seemed interested in it," said prosecuting attorney Rob Neill. "It's looking like the case is heading towards resolution."

Police who responded to a burglary report at the Robinsons' home on Feb. 18 detected a strong odor of marijuana and found "several pounds of marijuana, dozens of bongs, grinders, pipes, rolling papers, scales, multiple containers bearing marijuana residue and $26,230 cash in numerous bundles located in several locations within the house," court documents state.

In one room, which James Robinson told officers he kept locked so his sons couldn't enter, officers found three firearms, "over two and a half pounds" of marijuana and other drug paraphernalia, charges state.

Robinson was hired to work for the Salt Lake City Attorney's Office in 2000 and was assigned to represent the city police department on civil and transactional matters in 2013. Robinson is no longer employed by the city, a city spokesman said Tuesday.

An arraignment hearing was scheduled for Oct. 31 for Robinson and his sons.

Email: mjacobsen@deseretnews.com, Twitter: @MorganEJacobsen

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