Occupy Bostons so-called Mama, who appeared yesterday in Boston Municipal Court on charges she sold Xanax to undercover cops from her post at the camps clothing tent, denied the charges and accused cops of setting her up to discredit the movement.
It was a complete setup by Boston police, Martina Martin, 41, told the Herald after her arraignment. Theyre discrediting (Occupy Boston). ... Im a strong point in the camp.
Police spokeswoman Elaine Driscoll said the accusation was irrelevant to the case.
The bottom line is undercover officers purchased pills from her, which would be an illegal transaction, Driscoll said.
Martin was arrested Monday evening after two undercover cops, acting on a tip, approached her and allegedly negotiated the sale of 10 Xanax pills for $20. She then hugged the pair and told them to call her Mama, according to the police report.
Uniformed officers searched her tent and recovered other prescription bottles, including one that contained pills matching the ones she sold to the officers, prosecutors said.
They were able to locate multiple prescription bottles inside that tent. That is the basis of the charges before the court, Assistant District Attorney Katherine Powell said.
Martin pleaded not guilty. Defense attorney Amy Freedman said Martin had a valid prescription.
It was duplicitous, Freedman said of the undercover operation.
Martin, a short, slight mother of three with an Irish accent, was greeted by cheers yesterday when she returned to Dewey Square despite a court order to stay away from the site. Judge Raymond Dougan Jr., who denied the prosecutors request for $1,000 bail, allowed Martin to return to reclaim her belongings with a police escort.
Shes done nothing but good things for this camp, Julien Jacquelin, 18, said.
