Five years for drug trafficking, copper theft
Court hears that Joseph Vernon Murphy, 45, of Fredericton, driven to crime by his addiction
A Fredericton man busted with stolen copper wire and later found with significant stashes of fentanyl, cocaine and meth was committing such crimes because of his own addiction issues, court heard Wednesday.
Joseph Vernon Murphy, 45, of Woodstock Road, pleaded guilty in Fredericton provincial court in November to a June 9, 2024, count of possession of stolen copper wire; Oct. 31, 2024, charges of possession of fentanyl, cocaine and meth for the purpose of trafficking, and possession of proceeds of crime; and possession of meth and the proceeds of crime, both on Feb. 20.
He was back in provincial court Tuesday, appearing by video from a custodial facility, for his sentencing hearing.
