Earlier this week, a traffic stop in Ashwaubenon resulted in the discovery of four pounds of premium quality marijuana and the arrest of a Green Bay teenager. Although the 16-year-old boy is only facing juvenile charges at this point, authorities believe that he will ultimately be tried as an adult on felony drug charges for the manufacture and delivery of THC, as well as resisting arrest.
According to a spokesperson for the Ashwaubenon Department of Public Safety, the traffic stop was routine. As the officer approached the car, he smelled marijuana and subsequently called for backup. Authorities say the unidentified 16-year old boy attempted to flee when a second squad car arrived but was caught after a short chase. Officers then searched the vehicle and found approximately $1,600 in cash as well as the marijuana, which has been said to be worth about $16,000.
They also discovered that the car, a Mercedes, was registered to a 22-year-old woman from Green Bay. Authorities now believe the boy paid the woman about $10,000 for the car and say that structuring assets like this (to hide drug profits) is something of an advanced drug dealing skill not commonly seen in younger suspects.
Ashwaubenon Public Safety Lt. Jody Crocker says the boy was "conducting himself in an adult manner, in an adult organized crime business." Other sources have indicated that the Green Bay teenager has not been cooperative with police investigators who are still hoping to ascertain the source of the drugs and the identities of any co-conspirators.
Although local authorities have spoken confidently and appear to have a solid case, it is important to remember that many criminal cases appear much stronger at first than they actually turn out to be in court. This is particularly true of drug offense cases, which are often rife with procedural and evidentiary problems for the prosecution.
For this reason and others, persons arrested for any type of crime should speak to a lawyer before saying anything to the police.
Source: WLUK-TV Fox 11 News, "Teen arrested, four pounds of marijuana found," Ben Krumholz, April 5, 2012
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