Miami Police Chief's Son Admits Attempt to Buy 400 lbs. of Marijuana

ALBANY, N.Y. – The son of Miami's police chief on Wednesday admitted trying to buy 400 pounds of marijuana from an undercover agent.

The guilty plea in federal court by Sean Timoney, 25, could send him to prison for up to 40 years. His father is Miami police Chief John Timoney.

The younger Timoney was arrested Nov. 1 in a Rockland County hotel room after handing an undercover Drug Enforcement Administration agent a gym bag containing about $455,000.

Authorities say the cash was partial payment for what Timoney and a co-defendant believed would be the delivery of 400 pounds of marijuana.

The men allegedly planned to distribute the drugs in and around Philadelphia, where Timoney lives.

Timoney faces up to 40 years in prison and a $2 million fine at his sentencing April 10 on a charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana.

His guilty plea, though, could result in a lesser sentence. "The idea is to show remorse and change your life, and that's what he's trying to do," said his lawyer, Edward Hayes.

Timoney remains free on $100,000 bail. Co-defendant Jae Seu, 23, of Glenside, Pa., is also free on bail and his case is pending, said assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Hartunian.

The elder Timoney rose through the ranks of the New York Police Department to become a chief and first deputy commissioner. He later became chief of police in Philadelphia before moving to Miami.