Case Delayed For Ex-Lawmaker Facing Marijuana Charges

[bobandtorey]

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WZZM) – Former state representative Roy Schmidt appeared in court today on marijuana charges, but asked for a delay while he hires a new attorney.

The ex-lawmaker is charged with two counts of delivery/manufacture of marijuana, a four-year felony.

Thursday's probable cause hearing was adjourned and a planned preliminary hearing next week is on hold while Schmidt looks for a new lawyer. His previous attorney, Matt Herman, did not appear in court today.

Schmidt was arraigned two weeks ago on drug-related charges for three pounds of processed marijuana seized at his Northwest Side home and 71 plants found growing at a nearby home he rented from a family member.

Schmidt was released from the Kent County Jail June 12 on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond. He was arrested the previous day and held in jail overnight.

Members of the Kent Area Narcotics Enforcement Team on June 10 went to Schmidt's home on 7th Street east of Covell Avenue NW and a second home on Myrtle Street near Jennette Avenue NW.

Schmidt, 61, was in control of marijuana operations at both homes, said Lt. Al Roetman, head of the sheriff department's KANET unit. Schmidt identified himself as a medical marijuana patient and caregiver.

The ex-city commissioner and West Side icon admitted to selling to at least 20 people who are not his registered patients nor did they possess a Michigan Medical Marijuana card, court records show.

The raids are part of an ongoing strategy by KANET to enforce marijuana laws. Police this year have used search warrants to enter more than two dozen homes in Grand Rapids for suspected marijuana violations.

 

http://www.wzzm13.com/story/news/2015/06/25/marijuana-charges/29269121/

[t-pain]

update

 

http://www.wzzm13.com/story/news/2016/01/08/medical-marijuana-charges/78523742/

 

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WZZM) – Marijuana charges against former state lawmaker and city commissioner ___ are heading back to a lower court to determine exactly how much marijuana is involved.

 

The amount will determine whether _____ , who has a medical marijuana card, has two pending charges dismissed, Kent County Circuit Court Judge Donald A. Johnston said Friday before sending the case back to district court.

[t-pain]

update.

 

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2016/01/former_state_rep_roy_schmidt_g.html

 

was in a Grand Rapids courtroom Friday, Jan. 8, to argue his case should have an evidentiary hearing because of a disagreement over marijuana quantities police allege he possessed.

 

Kent County Circuit Court Judge Donald Johnston agreed to send the case back to Grand Rapids District Court for a probable cause hearing.

 

claims he only had about 15 ounces of "useable" marijuana and the remainder was in a drying state.

 

"There was less ready for use than they claim," he said.

[bobandtorey]

Schmidt identified himself as a medical marijuana patient and caregiver. The ex-city commissioner and West Side icon admitted to selling to at least 20 people who are not his registered patients, nor did they possess a Michigan Medical Marijuana card, court records show.

 

Good Luck with that 

 

Oh and Thanks Mr. T 

[t-pain]

http://www.wzzm13.com/news/crime/ex-commissioner-enters-plea-on-marijuana-case/24308416

 

update, he will take a plea

[bobandtorey]

Thanks

 

unanticipated and surprised i am Not

[bobandtorey]

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. - In an exclusive interview with the 13 Watchdog team, former Michigan lawmaker and Grand Rapids City Commissioner Roy Schmidt blasted the Kent Area Narcotics Enforcement Team (KANET) for the raid at his house in June.

  
Minutes after he was sentenced to 45 days in jail and two years probation, Schmidt sat down with us to discuss issues related to his arrest and eventual conviction on a charge of manufacture of marijuana.

He says he was unfairly targeted starting back on June 9, 2015, when two homes he was tied to were raided by the drug team.

More: Ex-commissioner enters plea on marijuana case

"They wanted me and they got me," Schmidt said. "I was shocked to see eight guns in my face."

Schmidt alleges KANET smashed doors, went through his house and took "whatever they wanted," including his grandson's piggy bank. 

"This was totally an attempt to nail Roy Schmidt, and I think that unit (KANET) is known to be aggressive and ridiculous," Schmidt said.

Schmidt applauded the Grand Rapids Police Department for its work over the years as he called out KANET for its handling of his case. 

"This thing is totally out of control," Schmidt said. 

Members of the Kent Area Narcotics Enforcement Team recovered three pounds of processed marijuana and 71 plants between the two houses tied to Schmidt.

Schmidt apologized to Circuit Court Judge Donald Johnston for his involvement in the case and told him that he was growing extra marijuana because of an upcoming surgery.

Schmidt is a licensed medical marijuana caregiver. 

In our interview, Schmidt admitted to selling marijuana illegally to one person, his brother-in-law. Court records show Schmidt admitted to selling marijuana illegally to more than a dozen people.

Schmidt told us he put in a plea of "no contest" in January 2016 to protect his family from possible future legal action. 

Judge Johnston said Schmidt should be held to a higher standard because of his background as a lawmaker and city commissioner. That's why the judge sentenced him to jail time.
   
We asked him about going to jail.
 
"I am scared to death," Schmidt said. "I was there one day when I was arrested, but I don't know what it's going to be like."

Schmidt did not have a criminal record before this conviction. The sentencing guidelines called for Schmidt to spend 0-3 months in jail. He was sentenced to 45 days and will report the morning of Friday, April 8.

Schmidt told Judge Johnson that in light of his case, he's going to fight for changes in the medical marijuana law.  He says several of his relatives have used medical marijuana to ease the pain of injuries and illness.

Judge Johnston told Schmidt, breaking the law by selling marijuana illegally, wasn't the way to pursue changes in state law.

 

http://www.wzzm13.com/mb/news/investigations/13-on-your-side/roy-schmidt-they-wanted-me-and-they-got-me-on-marijuana-related-criminal-charges/121541591#

[t-pain]

lot of people are ignorant about the drug task force raids.

 

wonder if we can get bernie to bring them up ?

[matt79]

What were his charges? Selling marijuana and possession of 3lbs of marijuana has a sentence guidelind of 0-3 months?

[t-pain]

if you are white and first offence, yeah

[matt79]

Lol im white with no background.

I was thinking it had mo to do with his status of lawmaker

[bobandtorey]

 

Schmidt apologized to Circuit Court Judge Donald Johnston for his involvement in the case and told him that he was growing extra marijuana because of an upcoming surgery.

Schmidt is a licensed medical marijuana caregiver.

 

Overages will get you every time but how does the dispensary get to have more cannabis then mr Schmidt ?

 

Imo he needed a great medical marijuana Attorney Like Mr. Komorn

[matt79]

If i was operating illegally and got a 90 day sentence id be buying my lawyer lobster for dinner