BOSTON, March 25, 2014—A Quincy attorney today pleaded guilty to charges he attempted to sneak drugs to another person at Chelsea District Court last year, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley announced.

MICHAEL LUSTIG (D.O.B. 7/13/68) today pleaded guilty in Chelsea District Court to possession with intent to distribute a Class B substance.  Judge Michael Nestor sentenced Lustig to a probationary term of 18 months, during which time he must undergo treatment for drug and alcohol abuse, submit to random drug and alcohol testing, and continue to receive counseling.

Had the case proceeded to trial, Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Walsh, chief of the DA’s Special Prosecutions Unit, would have presented evidence and testimony to prove that Lustig used his position as a member of the bar to bypass court security in an attempt to sneak drugs into the courthouse, where he intended to provide them to a person who was in custody and expected in court the same day.

State Police narcotics detectives received information that on Nov. 13, Lustig intended to deliver the drugs to ALICIA DEMARCO (D.O.B. 1/1/86) of Reading, who was scheduled to appear at the Chelsea District Court that day on a separate drug case.  DeMarco was not Lustig’s client.

Detectives obtained an anticipatory order for search and seizure from a Suffolk Superior Court judge allowing for a search of Lustig’s person in the event that he arrived at or in the vicinity of Chelsea court, which he did at about 10:30 that morning.

The evidence showed that Lustig presented his identification in order to bypass security as he entered the district court and told detectives he was there to see “a friend.”  When provided with a copy of the judge’s order, he allegedly asked, “If I give them to you, will you let me go?”

Lustig provided troopers with an envelope bearing DeMarco’s name. To protect any potential privilege, troopers did not open the envelope but instead provided it to the judge who issued the order.  Inside were Suboxone tablets.

Lustig was represented by Adam Russell.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.