An Oakland County Sheriff’s Department deputy has resigned, after being charged with felony drug possession, stemming from an incident that happened on July 15 in the parking lot of the Lake Orion Post Office.
Roy Coates, 42, was on medical leave from the OCSD, due to an injury suffered off the job, at the time of his arraignment in the 52-3rd District Court on July 31. He resigned from the department shortly after.
Coates was charged with felony drug possession in Judge Lisa Asadoorian’s courtroom, after another deputy found Coates in a ‘disoriented state? in the Lake Orion Post Office parking lot.
The deputy saw Coates sitting in a truck and went over to see him. The truck contained a syringe that tested positive for methamphetamines and other drug paraphernalia.
Coates is currently free on a $25,000 personal bond after being charged. If convicted of a felony, he faces up to 10 years in prison, and would not be allowed to practice law enforcement again.
Coates was an 18-year veteran of the OCSD. Officials said his employment would have been terminated had he not resigned.
Coates had most recently served as shift sergeant at the Oakland County Jail, and had worked in the narcotics division, as part of a special response team.
His father, James, was also an OCSD deputy, and organized an employee assistance program at the department over 15 years ago, after battling an alcohol abuse problem.