GR attorney convicted of drug charges

BELLAIRE, Mich. (WOOD) - A jury in northwest Michigan decided Sept. 10 that a Grand Rapids attorney is guilty of two drug charges.

John Oren Waters was convicted of conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance and delivery of a controlled substance -- both seven-year felonies, according to the Antrim County Prosecutor's Office.

Waters' trial lasted two-and-a-half days and deliberation took two-and-a-half hours.

Waters delivered Suboxone -- a narcotic -- to a client in May 2011 while she was incarcerated in the Antrim County Jail.

Testimony during the trial also indicated he delivered heroin to the same woman while she was in the Kent County Correctional Facility.

"This case is most disturbing as attorneys meeting their clients in jail are afforded special privileges because they are officers of the court," said Antrim County Assistant Prosecutor James Rossiter in a statement. "Not only has a jury convicted John Oren Waters of two felonies -- his conduct is a breach of ethical standards and duties, and that conduct places a stain upon hard working defense attorneys."

Antrim County Prosecutor Charles Koop said in a statement that he is now required to report Waters to the State Bar Grievance Commission.