MONROE - Michael Mason, 53, Brooklyn, pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct after having five marijuana-related charges dismissed by the Green County district attorney.
DA Craig Nolen suppressed three felony charges of manufacturing, possession with intent to sell and maintaining a drug trafficking place and two misdemeanors of possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
The charges stem from an incident at a Brooklyn residence on Oct. 17 where Mason became angry and belligerent during an argument with his father and threatened to return with a firearm. Once police were called, they responded to Mason's residence in the 200 Block of Bowman Street, Town of Brooklyn. Mason was not located at the residence, but a protective sweep of the premises found several marijuana plants.
After executing a search warrant of the residence, investigators found 10 growing marijuana plants, two adult plants, seven juvenile plants and 257 grams of processed marijuana. Several paraphernalia items for growing and packing the drug were also located.
During what Nolen referred to as a "day-and-a-half testimony," Green County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Vale ruled in favor of a request by Mason's lawyer Robert Duxstad to throw out the marijuana charges. The court said because of the situation, the protective sweep of the residence during which police located the materials was not justifiable.
"This was a matter that got blown out of proportion," Duxstad said. "I think this is an appropriate disposition."
Mason was fined $516 to be paid over the next 60 days. If repayment is not made within that time, Vale said Mason will be held in Green County Jail for a period of one day per $50 due. Both Vale and Nolen said the fact that Mason had no previous record was a factor in the sentencing.
DA Craig Nolen suppressed three felony charges of manufacturing, possession with intent to sell and maintaining a drug trafficking place and two misdemeanors of possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
The charges stem from an incident at a Brooklyn residence on Oct. 17 where Mason became angry and belligerent during an argument with his father and threatened to return with a firearm. Once police were called, they responded to Mason's residence in the 200 Block of Bowman Street, Town of Brooklyn. Mason was not located at the residence, but a protective sweep of the premises found several marijuana plants.
After executing a search warrant of the residence, investigators found 10 growing marijuana plants, two adult plants, seven juvenile plants and 257 grams of processed marijuana. Several paraphernalia items for growing and packing the drug were also located.
During what Nolen referred to as a "day-and-a-half testimony," Green County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Vale ruled in favor of a request by Mason's lawyer Robert Duxstad to throw out the marijuana charges. The court said because of the situation, the protective sweep of the residence during which police located the materials was not justifiable.
"This was a matter that got blown out of proportion," Duxstad said. "I think this is an appropriate disposition."
Mason was fined $516 to be paid over the next 60 days. If repayment is not made within that time, Vale said Mason will be held in Green County Jail for a period of one day per $50 due. Both Vale and Nolen said the fact that Mason had no previous record was a factor in the sentencing.