Vessey Pleads No Contest to Drug Charge : Crime: Former Yorba Linda finance director faces possible prison term of 2 to 4 years for possession of methamphetamines for sale. Sentencing is Sept. 30.

Former Yorba Linda finance director C. Gordon Vessey pleaded no contest Thursday to possession for sale of two ounces of methamphetamines, and his sentencing was set for Sept. 30 in Municipal Court here.

Both Vessey, 42, and co-defendant Joseph Michael Garner, 23, of Chino Hills entered no contest pleas to charges that stem from their attempt to sell methamphetamine on June 30 to a Buena Park police informant.

In accepting Vessey’s plea, Municipal Court Judge David T. McEachen said the former finance director could be sentenced to a maximum of two to four years in state prison.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Mike Nunn criticized that sentencing range, describing the amount sold as “substantial,” and adding that a two-year sentence could mean Vessey would spend just eight months in prison.

Nunn said the fact that Vessey, who resigned as finance director July 26, had held an important city office should not serve to lessen his sentence.

“I’m disappointed when someone in a leadership position would engage in selling drugs,” Nunn said.

Vessey’s attorney, Edward Munoz, said his client deserves a minimal sentence because he has no previous drug offenses. Vessey is on probation for a 1990 misdemeanor drunk driving conviction.

Vessey and Garner were arrested in a police “sting” after an informant told police he had a source who would be bringing a quarter pound of methamphetamine to a restaurant parking lot at Orangethorpe Avenue and Beach Boulevard. Garner showed up first, police said, and told the informant his connection wanted the money before handing over the drugs. The informant said there would be no deal until the drugs were exchanged, and a little later Vessey drove up and handed two ounces of the drug to the informant, police said.

Vessey had worked for the city since 1972 and was appointed finance director in 1984. An audit of city finances conducted shortly before Vessey’s arrest turned up no discrepancies.