NEW JERSEY: Lakehurst mayor charged with marijuana possession

NEW JERSEY: Lakehurst mayor charged with marijuana possession


by Maryann Spoto
Thursday August 02, 2007, 7:45 PM


A Manchester police officer trailing the smell of marijuana in traffic had his job made easier when the alleged culprit - the mayor of neighboring Lakehurst - tossed the illegal cigarette onto the cop's windshield, authorities said today.

Lakehurst Mayor Stephen Childers, 50, was arrested and hit with a slew of municipal charges before being released on his own recognizance Wednesday night, authorities said.

The encounter occurred while Officer Brian Collins was stuck in traffic along with several other vehicles on Route 70 eastbound at about 11:45 p.m., Manchester police Capt. John McCarthy said. While in traffic, Collins smelled the odor of marijuana and was trying to determine the source when he saw the driver of the pickup truck in front of him toss out the remnants of the cigarette, McCarthy said.

The burned butt hit the front windshield of the marked patrol car, McCarthy said.

Childers was charged with possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana, being under the influence of marijuana, driving under the influence of marijuana, throwing debris onto a roadway, reckless driving, possession of under 50 grams of marijuana in a motor vehicle and possession of drug paraphernalia.

McCarthy said Childers was released on his own recognizance to face the municipal charges. Childers could not immediately be reached for comment.

Childers, a Republican, has been mayor nearly 20 years. His term expires this year and he is not seeking re-election


http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2007/08/lakehurst_mayor_charged_with_m.html


DaBronx