A California man is facing trial after police were called to a residence in Belle Vernon where three dogs were reported to have been left in a car with insufficient ventilation. The man is facing multiple charges, including ones related to both firearms and drug possession. When police arrived at the home, they allegedly discovered what appeared to be marijuana-growing paraphernalia during a routine inventory of the vehicle the dogs were held in.
The paraphernalia allegedly included high-wattage light bulbs, fertilizer, rolling papers and instructions for growing plants. Based on what the police found, they were able to gain a warrant to search the home. While searching the residence, police reportedly discovered a .410-gauge shotgun, which had its serial number removed, along with a 20-gauge shotgun and ammunition. In addition to the firearms, police also stated they found hydroponic growing equipment, a bong allegedly used for smoking marijuana and a small amount of marijuana.
The man has been charged with two drug crimes: 20 counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a small amount of marijuana. He was also charged with a variety of other crimes, including possession of a prohibited offensive weapon, one count of possession of a firearm with altered or obliterated serial number, two counts of convict/other person not to possess a firearm and three counts of cruelty to animals. The man was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshal’s Service and is being held in Fayette County Jail.
If someone has been charged with a possession crime, it is up to law enforcement to prove that an individual possessed the items in question. A lawyer could help someone mount a defense and ensure that circumstantial evidence is called into question.
Source: TribLive , “Calif. man faces trial on drug, gun charges “, Jeremy Sellew , June 22, 2013
