MedicalNeed
New Member
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A former Ross police officer is accused of tending to marijuana plants while on duty in uniform and while being videotaped, according to a criminal complaint filed Tuesday.
Richard D. White, 58, of Shaler is charged with one count of possession of a controlled substance and hindering apprehension.
White had no comment yesterday.
"These images clearly showed Officer Richard White, on duty and in full uniform, transporting water to the marijuana plant, watering and otherwise tending to the plant," the complaint states.
The 3-foot marijuana plant was spotted Aug. 17 by Ross police officer Gregory Garcia in a fenced-in area near Cemetery Lane. The area, which has several radio transmission towers, is used occasionally by Ross police for training exercises.
Video images of White watering the plant were captured Aug. 20 by hidden cameras placed there by police. The cameras' removal was mentioned at an Aug. 22 police roll call, which White attended. He said he was asked the next day to resign by police Chief Ralph C. Freedman.
White told investigators that he pulled the plant from the ground after the roll call.
Four weeks ago, White said he had "curiosity" about the marijuana plant. He also said he watered the plant once again while on duty but said he didn't have any plan for it.
White, a traffic officer, said he found the plant while on duty in early August as he was urinating nearby.
A preliminary hearing for White is scheduled for 9 a.m. Nov. 10 before West View District Judge Richard Opiela.
NewsHawk: MedicalNeed:420 MAGAZINE
Source
oliceone.com
Author: Rick Wills
Contact: PoliceOne Contact Information
Copyright: 2010 Tribune Review Publishing Company
Website:Ex-Pa. cop caught on tape tending marijuana plant
Richard D. White, 58, of Shaler is charged with one count of possession of a controlled substance and hindering apprehension.
White had no comment yesterday.
"These images clearly showed Officer Richard White, on duty and in full uniform, transporting water to the marijuana plant, watering and otherwise tending to the plant," the complaint states.
The 3-foot marijuana plant was spotted Aug. 17 by Ross police officer Gregory Garcia in a fenced-in area near Cemetery Lane. The area, which has several radio transmission towers, is used occasionally by Ross police for training exercises.
Video images of White watering the plant were captured Aug. 20 by hidden cameras placed there by police. The cameras' removal was mentioned at an Aug. 22 police roll call, which White attended. He said he was asked the next day to resign by police Chief Ralph C. Freedman.
White told investigators that he pulled the plant from the ground after the roll call.
Four weeks ago, White said he had "curiosity" about the marijuana plant. He also said he watered the plant once again while on duty but said he didn't have any plan for it.
White, a traffic officer, said he found the plant while on duty in early August as he was urinating nearby.
A preliminary hearing for White is scheduled for 9 a.m. Nov. 10 before West View District Judge Richard Opiela.
NewsHawk: MedicalNeed:420 MAGAZINE
Source
oliceone.comAuthor: Rick Wills
Contact: PoliceOne Contact Information
Copyright: 2010 Tribune Review Publishing Company
Website:Ex-Pa. cop caught on tape tending marijuana plant
