By FARRAH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
A 24-year-old man who told police he was selling marijuana to make a “couple of dollars” was yesterday fined $1,000.
Robert Johnson Jr was arrested after officers found $85 worth of Indian hemp in his home on February 5.
He pleaded guilty to one count of dangerous drug possession with the intent to supply during a hearing before Deputy Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes.
The court heard officers went to Johnson Jr’s Florida Court residence around 10.45am on the day in question. When they arrived, they noticed the defendant standing outside. However, the prosecution said when he noticed the officers, he ran into his home. Officers then knocked on the door, showed Johnson Jr their warrant and informed him that he would be searched in reference to dangerous drugs and firearms.
After the officers found the marijuana in Johnson Jr’s room, he told them that he bought the drugs to smoke. He also said he was selling the drugs to “make a couple dollars”. The defendant was subsequently arrested and charged.
Yesterday, Johnson Jr told the magistrate that he committed the offence because “things were hard right now”. He also asked him to be lenient when passing his sentence.
In response, Magistrate Forbes said although he took note of the defendant’s early guilty plea, he still had to consider the fact that he had been charged with similar offences in the recent past. He fined Johnson Jr $1,000 or six months behind bars.
Commenting has been disabled for this item.