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Son of ex-Islander seeking no-jail deal after charges in Boogaard overdose

Derek Boogaard

Former minor league player Jordan Hart -- the son of longtime New York Islander Gerry Hart -- is looking to avoid jail following his 2014 arrest connected to the overdose death of ex-NHL enforcer Derek Boogaard, according to the New York Post.

More:

[Lawyer] Robert P. LaRusso is in talks with the government and hopes to skate around the criminal charges by signing “deferred prosecution agreement.”

Under such a deal usually given to low-level, first-time offenders, Hart, 32, would avoid prosecution by remaining a law-abiding citizen and agreeing to other terms – such as restricted travel – over a length of period agreed to by the government.

LaRusso said Hart – who faces up to 20 years in prison on charges of possessing and conspiring to distribute oxycodone – also told Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald that his client wants to avoid trial and would likely try to reach plea agreement with the feds if a deferred prosecution agreement can’t be obtained.

Boogaard passed away on May 13, 2011. Per reports at the time of Hart’s arrest, Boogard had allegedly been purchasing Percocet from Hart, who was receiving prescriptions for the painkillers from ECHL Utah medical staffer Oscar Johnson, who was also arrested (Hart played in Utah from 2007-09.)

Following Hart’s arrest, Derek’s father Len Boogaard released the following statement (via the Minneapolis Star-Tribune):

“We miss Derek every minute of every day. Every effort to hold accountable those that contributed to my son’s addiction and death is commendable. My family and I appreciate the tireless and persistent work of the New York Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration. It is our hope that their hard work will save other families from the heartbreak we endure.”

According to the Post, Johnson’s lawyer said his client also hopes to avoid trial and cut a plea deal.