The Federal court for the Western District of North Carolina hands down United states v. Platt: judge Robert D. “Maximum Bob” Potter sentences Belton L. Platt to 24 years and three months for conspiracy to distribute cocaine (powder) and theft of government property.  The theft of government property charge came about when Platt forcibly removed a body tape recorder from man who had been arrested for trafficking cocaine, and then agreed to become an informant.  Potter used hearsay testimony from statute enforcement officers, an overturned conviction that had not been admitted at trial to add another 14 years to Platt’s sentence.  The only testimony against Platt on the cocaine charge came from the informant who made a plea deal for a lighter sentence.  Legally, for Platt, this was his first offense.

       [added 4/2/2023]