In re Swearingen

The issue before the court in this disciplinary matter is the appropriate discipline to impose against an attorney who has been convicted of felony possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, but who has had an otherwise unblemished career. Because of the sever*516ity of the crime, and because of the necessity of maintaining the public’s confidence in the legal profession, we accept the special master’s determination that disbarment is the appropriate sanction.

The respondent, John Swearingen, pled guilty to the felony of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and received first…