By LEANDRA ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
lrolle@tribunemedia.net
A 36-year-old man was yesterday ordered to pay $300 or spend a month in prison after he was found with three grams of marijuana.
Kareem Lightbourne pleaded guilty to possession of dangerous drugs before Magistrate Samuel McKinney yesterday after officers seized three grams of Indian hemp from him on June 24.
During yesterday’s hearing, the court was told that the 36-year-old was fined $200 for a similar offence last year.
Magistrate McKinney told Lightbourne the law allows him to toughen the penalties for people who reoffend on the same offence.
When asked by Magistrate McKinney why he shouldn’t double the penalties, Lightbourne told the court he was in his yard when officers found the drugs and explained he wouldn’t take issue with whatever the court decides.
Magistrate McKinney later ordered the accused to pay $300 or risk spending a month in prison.
Ramone Bromfield, 26, also appeared in court yesterday charged with a similar offence.
Police said they found four grams of Indian hemp on Bromfield on June 23.
He also admitted to the offence during a hearing before Magistrate McKinney.
When asked by Magistrate McKinney if he had any previous convictions, the accused said he did not. This was confirmed by the prosecution.
Bromfield was subsequently placed on six months probation.
Magistrate McKinney told him if he had failed to comply with the conditions of his release, he would be fined $400 or sentenced to three months in prison.
Hubert Dwayne Thurston, 39, was also before Magistrate McKinney charged with possession of dangerous drugs. He was arraigned with a 17-year-old, who was accused of the same offence.
Police allege the two, being concerned together, were found with a marijuana plant on June 23.
Both accused pleaded not guilty to the charges. Bail was granted at $500 with one surety and the case was adjourned to July 29 for trial.
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