A New York City cop convicted of secretly aiding drug dealers was sentenced Wednesday to 20 years prison professing his innocence all the way to the pen.
Even while waiting for his sentence, Merlin Alston denied that he helped drug dealers including his childhood friend and alleged-pusher pal Gabriel Reyes distribute drugs and evade cops.
“I did not conspire to distribute narcotics with Gabe Reyes or anybody else,” Alston told Manhattan federal Judge Colleen McMahon. “I’m still in shock here,” he said.
The judge scoffed at the proclamations of innocence, saying the evidence at trial proved he was guilty.
“I would have reached the same verdict if I was on the jury,” she said.
