Stuck in a Rut
Stephen Nicholas Petrocelli, 41, was convicted of drug trafficking in Missouri after police found 325 marijuana plants at his residence. Missouri probation officials allowed him to move to Maine, provided he continue his probation there.
Earlier this month, Petrocelli contacted his probation officer in Maine to get a permit to travel to Missouri to deal with his legal case there. His PO, Michael Downs, said that before he could issue a permit, he'd have to verify Petrocelli's address and conduct a home inspection.
When Downs arrived at the home on May 12, he allegedly found 37 marijuana plants growing there -- and several guns.
"Being a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing any type of firearm," said Maine Drug Enforcement Agency agent Zane Loper, who went with Downs for the inspection. "They all looked relatively new."
Loper noted in his report that Petrocelli said he was growing the pot "so he could raise money to pay his defense attorney bill from the Missouri case."
Petrocelli was arrested and charged with probation violation, aggravated marijuana cultivation, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. He was ordered held without bail.
Who needs money to pay for a public defender?
Source: Lewiston Sun Journal
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Most Recent Comments
Posted by Brian in Philippines on June 15, 2010:
@David:
Not hurting anyone??? Sorry 325 marijuana plants is NOT personal use. He was growing to sell. And that many plants will hurt a lot of people.
Posted by Mike from Dallas on June 15, 2010:
@Brian in Philippines
Thank you; I agree. Besides violating parole, which is NOT "doing nothing", he was also a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Had he not been arrested, the question becomes WHY is illegal possession okay while legal ownership is so bogged down in bureaucracy.
Posted by Pomaikai in Kona on June 29, 2010:
I am loving the term "aggravated marijuana cultivation." Can anyone tell me what the heck that means?? (Insert image of pissed-off felon berating his pot plants).
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It is an interesting concept. I guess they harshed his mellow. -rc