Man Released in Drug Lab Scandal Arrested Again

An alleged drug dealer who was awarded an early release from his prison sentence because of the ongoing state drug lab crisis was in court again this week facing a new slew of drug-related charges.

Torrie Haynes, 30, of Dorchester was arraigned Tuesday, Nov. 13 in Suffolk Superior Court on charges of distribution of a class B substance as a subsequent offense, two counts of assault and battery on a police officer and resisting arrest, according to a press release from Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley.

Haynes was convicted in January of drug distribution charges and sentenced to a three-year prison term but was released Oct. 16 because Annie Dookhan, the lab worker accused of mishandling evidence in state drug cases, had processed the evidence in Haynes’ original case, according to the DA's statement.

Haynes was arrested Saturday afternoon at about 4:50 p.m. on East Berkeley St. after Boston Police Drug Control Unit detectives witnessed him take part in a drug transaction, according to reports included in the DA's statement.

When officers approached, it appeared as though Haynes was attempting to swallow drugs he had put in his mouth, according to police reports. Haynes allegedly bit one police officer and fell on the foot of a second as police attempted to get him to spit out the drugs.

Haynes then allegedly spit out four bags of crack cocaine, according to police reports.

Including his January conviction, Haynes has been convicted of drug distribution offenses five times in four different courts and has three prior assault and battery convictions.

His bail has been set at $10,000. Haynes is due back in court Nov. 19. 

Haynes was one of 238 men who sought to have their Suffolk Superior Court drug sentences stayed because Dookhan played a role in testing the substances they possessed, distributed or trafficked, and he was one of 109 individuals who did so successfully during a series of specialized session dedicated to cases affected by the drug lab disaster.