On behalf of Raymond Giudice P.C. posted in Criminal Defense on Wednesday, October 23, 2013.
An Athens man was arrested Friday and is facing drug charges after police discovered marijuana and pills in his backpack.
According to an Athens-Clarke police report, Michael Richardson, 28, of Athens was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of a schedule 3 substance.
Officers were responding to a possible burglary attempt when they saw Richardson walking in the area of Appleby Drive and Grove Street.
Richardson was wearing dark clothing and had a blue backpack, according to the report.
He acted as if he was going to flee and when police questioned him about weapons in his backpack, he reportedly tensed up and began to shake. The backpack also had a lock on it.
Police smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from the backpack, and when they asked Richardson to take it off, he tried to run, according to the report.
Richardson was arrested and police retrieved keys to open the backpack. In it they discovered three bags of marijuana, a digital scale and five Lortab pills, according to the report. Richardson told police he doesn’t do drugs, that he only sells them in order to support his family.
SOURCE: Athens Banner-Herald, “Athens man facing drug charge,” police blotter, October 19, 2013.