POLITICAL LEDGER

Cochran office manager accused of distributing drugs for sex

Geoff Pender
The Clarion-Ledger

U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran's office manager in Washington has been arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and allegedly told authorities he was exchanging drugs for sexual favors.

Fred W. Pagan, 49, a longtime Cochran staffer, is also accused of illegally receiving shipments from China of GBL, a controlled substance that's often abused as a recreational drug itself or used to make the "date rape" drug GHB.

U.S. Customs agents allegedly detected GBL in a package from China addressed to Pagan's home in Washington. On Thursday morning, Homeland Security agents and D.C. police raided Pagan's home, allegedly finding 181.5 grams of methamphetamine in plastic bags.

An affidavit by a Homeland Security agent said Pagan admitted he had received previous shipments of GBL from China, and that he had received the methamphetamine in a shipment from California -- intending to exchange both drugs for sexual favors.

Pagan made an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in D.C. on Friday, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia. He was initially charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and released on his own recognizance Friday afternoon, pending a May 14 hearing.

After his court appearance, the U.S. Attorney's Office said, a grand jury returned an indictment charging him with one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and one count of importation of a controlled substance. The first charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum of 40. The importation charge carries a maximum of 20 years.

The indictment also includes a forfeiture allegation seeking a money judgment from proceeds from the alleged crimes.

Congressional staff records at Legistorm.org show Pagan was paid $160,000 last year.

Cochran spokesman Chris Gallegos on Friday said Cochran was informed late Thursday afternoon that Pagan had been arrested on a drug-related charge, and that Cochran was headed to Mississippi late Friday.

"Sen. Cochran is disturbed and deeply saddened by the arrest of his long-time aide Fred Pagan," Gallegos said, "and is suspending him of all duties pending the outcome of this case."

Sen. Thad Cochran

Contact Geoff Pender at (601) 961-7266 or gpender@jackson.gannett.com. Follow @GeoffPender on Twitter.