Man Acquitted in Sale of Cocaine to Officer

A Pasadena man was acquitted Monday of federal charges he helped sell 98 grams of crack cocaine to an undercover agent in the parking lot of a fast-food chicken restaurant.

Oscar Eugene Palmer III, 22, would have faced a minimum of 10 years without parole and up to life in prison if he had been convicted of aiding and abetting co-defendant Clifton Hutchins in the drug deal, said Denise Meyer, deputy federal public defender.

Palmer and Hutchins were arrested in a sweep last July, Meyer said. The alleged drug transaction took place June 11. Hutchins had arranged to meet an informant and the undercover agent in his van, Meyer said. Just before the agent and informant arrived, Hutchins sent Palmer to get napkins and sauce for their chicken, she said. Hutchins testified that he had wanted to protect Palmer from knowing about the deal, while the undercover agent said he thought Palmer was a lookout, Meyer said.