Advertisement

San Diego

Share

Thomas Penn was ordered Thursday to remain in jail without bail by a U.S. magistrate who called him a danger to the community.

Penn, 50, father of Sagon Penn, 26, who was acquitted of murder and manslaughter in 1986 and 1987 in the shootings of two policemen, was indicted by a federal grand jury on cocaine charges on Jan. 17.

U.S. Magistrate Irma Gonzalez listened to secret tape recordings of conversations between Penn and others in alleged cocaine deals before ruling.

Advertisement

Penn is also charged with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute cocaine, distribution of cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school, and distribution of cocaine.

Ten others, some of whom are listed as John Does because their identities are not known to prosecutors, have also been charged with Penn.

Penn is scheduled to appear in court on Monday to set a date for scheduling motions.

Sagon Penn is not involved in the alleged drug sales. He was acquitted of charges in the March 31, 1985, incident in which Officer Thomas Riggs was killed and Officer Donovan Jacobs was wounded.

Advertisement