Oklahoma resident was given 15 years in prison for possession of 'cocaine': it turned out to be milk powder

Last week, a homeless man from Oklahoma was sentenced to 15 years in prison after police caught him with a package of supposedly cocaine.

Фото: Depositphotos

Back in August, 26-year-old Cody Gregg pleaded guilty to the drug trade after his arrest for "traffic violations," writes Yahoo. Gregg, who was riding a bicycle at the time, tried to escape from the officers, but they caught up with him and searched his belongings.

Then the police discovered "a large amount of white powdery substance" hidden in a coffee can inside his backpack. A report on the incident said the detention officer "believed the powder was cocaine based on practice and experience."

Gregg, who had been charged with drugs in the past, was arrested and jailed with the possibility of bail for 50 000 dollars. Police conducted tests on the substance, which, they said, tested positive for cocaine.

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But full-fledged laboratory tests conducted after almost two months said the exact opposite. By then, Gregg had already pleaded guilty, but later tried to withdraw the confession, telling the judge that the white substance was actually milk powder that he received from the local pantry.

Ultimately, the judge approved Gregg's application to withdraw the confession. Last Friday, all charges were dropped from him, and on Monday released from prison.

Jason Lollman, a public defender in Tulsa, Oklahoma, told NBC News that suspects often plead guilty to crimes that they did not commit, as this eliminates the need to “sit and wait” in prison before their probationary period expires .

“A cash bail system is a problem,” Lollman said. “If they cannot afford a lawyer, they will not be able to pay a deposit to leave.”

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Lollman said he regularly had to dissuade clients from a false guilty plea, but added that he ultimately could not blame Gregg for his decision.

“Sometimes we lawyers have more stamina than clients,” he told NBC News. “But this is because we are on the street, and they are in prison.”

The lawyer added that the prison in Oklahoma City, where Gregg was held, is "terrible." According to The Oklahoman, as of September this year, at least six prisoners were killed in prison.

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