Police have arrested a retired Colorado doctor on suspicion of gun and drug charge after raiding a luxury yacht and discovering ‘prostitutes’ on board.
Dr Scott Burke, 69, has been charged with possessing a firearm without a permit, having ammunition, as well as processing Class A and B drugs.
Authorities boarded the boat named the JessConn in the harbor of the ritzy Massachusetts island, with the 70-ft motor yacht registered in the Cayman Islands.
Pictures obtained by DailyMail.com appear to show him spending the holiday season with his wife Ellen, 65, and two children, Jessica and Connor aboard a similar boat in 2017 – also called the JessConn.
Burke, who founded Denver Spine and Rehab, is set to appear at Nantucket District Court on Monday for arraignment on the charges. It is unclear if he remains in custody.
Pictures obtained by DailyMail.com appear to show Dr Scott Burke (right) spending the holiday season with his wife Ellen, 65, and two children Jessica and Connor on a similar boat in 2017 – also called the JessConn
The retired doctor appears to be the manager of JessConn Charters LLC – based in Florida – though it is unclear how much or if he was charging customers to travel on the vessel
Relatives declined to comment when contacted by DailyMail.com, and Nantucket Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Law enforcement sources told the Nantucket Current that sex workers were discovered on the boat during the raid.
Scott Burke, 69, has been charged with possessing a firearm without a permit, having ammunition, as well as processing Class A and B drugs
Burke, who currently resides at a $2.3million mansion in Englewood, Colorado, appears to have named the vessel after his children.
The retired doctor, who set up a medical insurance company where both his children work, appears to have previously owned several other crafts.
He also appears to be the manager of JessConn Charters – based in Florida – though it is unclear how much or if he was charging customers to travel on the vessel.
The Coast Guard and Nantucket Police launched a probe after a woman was taken from the vessel after a ‘wellness check’.
Harbormaster Sheila Lucey told the Nantucket Current that the woman was removed from the boat by paramedics.
Nantucket Police Department Lt. Angus MacVicar told the Current: ‘Yes, we are currently working on an involved case and, as a result, cannot comment on the details.’
The Coast Guard and Nantucket Police launched a probe after a woman was taken from the vessel, called the Jess Conn, after a ‘wellness check’
The retired doctor, who set up a medical insurance company where both his children work, appears to have previously owned several other crafts. Pictured: Scott Burke (right)
Law enforcement sources confirmed that other contraband was found alongside the guns, drugs and prostitutes, but did not go into further details
Authorities boarded the boat in the harbor of the ritzy Massachusetts island, with the 70-ft motor yacht being registered in the Cayman Islands
The Jess Conn arrived in Nantucket Harbor on August 23 after a voyage from Newport, Rhode Island.
Law enforcement sources confirmed that other contraband was found alongside the guns, drugs and prostitutes, but did not go into further details.
It recently ran aground in Florida in May, but appears to have escaped without significant damage in the incident.
Coast Guard Station Brant Point’s executive petty officer Jeff Wecal confirmed that his crew is assisting the Nantucket Police Department in its investigation.
The boat was designed by Jeff Leishman, and boasts four docks of over 24 meters each.
It has three large guest cabins, an owner’s cabin, a laundry room, as well as a main saloon and formal dining room.
The yacht also has a hot tub on board, and can house up to eight guests as well as accommodation for two crew members.