Former Michigan State Police trooper implicated in CDL scandal arrested while on cruise ship

Former Massachusetts State Police Trooper Calvin Butler, 63, appeared in Boston’s federal court on Wednesday to face charges of bribery conspiracy, related to his involvement in giving guaranteed passing scores on commercial driver’s licenses. Butler was arrested on a cruise ship set to depart from Miami, Florida on January 29. The charges also involve other co-defendants, including former State Trooper Gary Cedarcrest of Stoughton, who received personal benefits for passing unqualified applicants. The indictment alleges that the troopers used their positions to falsify results on the basic skills test for certain applicants and passed them regardless of their actual performance on the tests. Throughout this bribery conspiracy, troopers were allegedly bribed with free goods, including a $10,000 driveway and a $2,000 snowblower. The former trooper faces a range of charges, including conspiracy to falsify records, extortion, mail fraud, falsification of records, making false statements, and perjury. Butler pleaded not guilty to the charges in court and has been ordered not to have any contact with the other men who were indicted in this case. This scandal has raised concerns about the violation of public trust and placing people in danger, given the potential threat to road safety posed by unqualified drivers holding commercial driver’s licenses. If convicted, Butler could face up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines for each of the multiple charges against him. This case is ongoing, and further developments are expected as the legal process continues.

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