Employees of the retired Dr. Scott Anthony Burke was banned from disembarkation on the Nantucket mainland after the former spine doctor and his pals were caught with “guns, drugs and prostitutes” on his luxury yacht.
Burke, who posted $200,000 bail after pleading not guilty to drug and weapons trafficking charges in Plymouth District Court.
Locals of the tiny Massachusetts island say drugs and sex are an expected part of the stay of some rich and famous visitors, but the gun allegations went a step too far for the islanders.
A longshoreman told the New York Post that someone from Burke’s boat “tried to get sandwiches or something like that from the island.”
“They were trying to get to the marina and we told them to leave,” said the anonymous worker.
Scott Anthony Burke, 69, was released last week for $200,000. He is pictured here in Plymouth County Court
The retired doctor was caught with drugs, sex workers and guns aboard his luxury yacht in Nantucket harbor last week
One local said the drug crimes and even the sex workers found on board the boat were not necessarily unusual for the island: “Everyone does that.” “He was arrested, that’s all,” the 61-year-old told the Post .
‘The weapons [are] “a completely different ball game,” added the source.
Burke, 69, married with two children, retired in 2021 after years of running a successful spine and rehabilitation clinic in Colorado.
Today he resides primarily at the exclusive Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, Florida.
The retired doctor was arrested on board the luxury yacht early Tuesday morning. On Sunday, Nantucket lawmakers said he was at large after posting his $200.00 bail.
In Massachusetts, the deposit must be paid in full.
A day after his arrest on the 82-foot Jess Conn yacht, Burke posted bail at the Barnstable County Correctional Facility.
Local dockers and fishermen said they have since seen people relaxing aboard the doctor’s yacht, which has been docked in Nantucket Harbor since Tuesday.
It is not clear if Burke is among them or if he has left the island.
“There are people on the boat but I don’t know who they are,” one angler said over the weekend.
“Yesterday I saw two men … They were just sitting in the back with hats and glasses. Only two people are sitting in the shade.’
The Coast Guard and Nantucket Police Department launched an investigation after a woman was abducted from the ship named Jess Conn following a “health check.”
Images obtained from appear to be Dr. Scott Burke (right) spending the holiday season with his wife Ellen, 65, and their two children Jessica and Connor in 2017 on a similar boat – also called Jess Conn
Burke and his crew were arrested Tuesday morning after police were alerted to a woman on the boat who required medical attention after suffering a possible overdose while on board.
Rescuers transported the woman to a nearby hospital and promptly discovered about 14 grams of ketamine, 43 grams of cocaine, a loaded 9mm handgun, a .380 handgun and 30-round magazines on board.
According to the official police report, the floor of the boat’s bedroom was also said to have been littered with loose ammunition.
After police handcuffed him, Burke allegedly confessed to possessing the guns and told officers where other guns were located on board the ship.
In their report, police officers wrote: “Scott Burke does not have a valid license [license to carry] or [firearm identification] Map.’
As a result of the arrest, Burke was charged with one count of trafficking a Class B drug, one count of possession for distribution of a Class A drug, one count of possession of ammunition without a license, and four counts of possession of a large-capacity drug feeding device.
Law enforcement sources told Nantucket Current that sex workers were discovered aboard the boat during the raid.
The doctor, who also owns a $2.3 million mansion in Englewood, Colorado, appears to have named the ship after his children.
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 in addition to weapons, drugs and prostitutes, but did not provide further details
The retired doctor, who started health insurance where his two children work, appears to have previously owned several other trades. Pictured: Scott Burke (right)
Law enforcement sources confirmed that other contraband was found in addition to weapons, drugs and prostitutes, but did not provide further details.
The luxury yacht was designed by Jeff Leishman and has four decks, each over 24 meters long.
It features three large guest cabins, an owner’s cabin, a laundry room as well as a main saloon and formal dining room.
The yacht also features an onboard hot tub and can accommodate up to eight guests as well as accommodation for two crew members.