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Pinellas County Sheriff's Office
Larry Cornelius Stephens in his booking photo, as provided by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.
"Look what I got" was how the 6-year-old in St. Petersburg, Fla., told the teacher of a surprise find in the child's backpack. Turns out the "what" was 3 ounces of marijuana and a weight scale -- and it landed the child's father in jail, the Tampa Bay Tribune reported Wednesday.
Larry Cornelius Stephens, 25, was arrested Tuesday afternoon on charges of possession of marijuana with intent to sell and child abuse.
Stephens acknowledged the pot and scale were his but insist it was for personal use, police said.
Police say he apparently placed them in the backpack, then forgot or didn't realize the child would take it to his school, Campbell Park Elementary.
When Stephens realized what happened he went to the school, but by that time the pot had been discovered, the Tribune reported.
Stephens left the school but later turned himself in to police. He was released late Tuesday on bail, records show, and has done prison time for drug possession in the past.
Police did not release the name or gender of the child.
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Poor guy, my heart goes out to him. Maybe he though the kid might need to relax before a quiz or something. I think he was just being thoughtful, after all, no one can OD on TCH, so really there is no harm being done here.
"When Stephens realized what happened he went to the school..." and likely screamed," Give me back my pot" instead of making police make a case.
IDIOT! They don't even prescribe anti-depressants to children or teens anymore since they "discovered" that they don't know how it affects the formation of a child's brain as they grow.
Go back to your bong stupid stoner.
PS. I am FOR the legalization of MJ, just against idiots posting stupid comments.
You must high now, its THC, not TCH...
Airdog; smart pot smokers don't use bongs - they use vaporizers - so I guess your statement would be true, only a stupid smoker would use a bong.
I used to get majorly stoned by playing 2 hours of basketball every day - nothing is as good as the endorphins you get from exercise (good old runners high) - I must have been a stoner too back then. Only criminals play basketball... lol.
I once returned a personal porn video to the local Hollywood Video store - I saw the rental video on the coffee table and instantly knew what I had done. Thankfully I got to the store before they retrieved it from the bin - I can just imagine what this poor guy was going through.
Serves the idiot right for leaving his kid holding the bag.
Opps, typing to fast without proofing again,sorry. Anyhow, I just think it's sad how big a case they make out of pot, and trying to come up with as many charges as they can against the guy. I'm sure they do this so he will plead guilty to the pot and intent to sell, and drop the child endangerment / abuse as part of the deal. Save the taxpayers money.
What would really save us money if the federal government would reverse all laws on pot, and leave it up to the states. I'd be happy if the people in the prude state keep it illegal if they want, but let the rest of us live free.
This is not new news!, This exact same story was posted on here about a month ago, what's up msn!!
The article said the guy didn't realize his son would take his back pack to school. So, what did he think the kid was going to do with it? He was clearly high at the time he made that decision.
Thank God it wasnt a pint of jack the kid surly would of drank it and died from alcohol poisoning.
Too bad the judges that chose Bruce Jenner as "Father of the Year" didn't see this before they picked the winner.
this is a old story...but i'm still gon'a get funky tonight...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9Zimpr_8zs&feature=relmfu
Drainbramage: Your story about your tape is HARSH. Wow.
They dont call it drainbramage for nutin
I don't believe it's an old story - at least not the stupid junkie part; this dumb dick didn't read what happened last month here:
http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/11/11133966-connecticut-boy-brings-heroin-to-kindergarten-stepdad-arrested
Child abuse? What a crock. Now, if the little nipper had discovered a bottle of Old Grand Dad in the backpack, that would have been just fine and dandy - right? Just an honest mistake. But... gasp! Marijuana... and owned by a black guy! I'd better double lock my doors at night.
If this is child abuse, they should also charge people responsible for sex in commercials that is viewed by children.
They always tack on intent to sell as well when it comes to pot cases, and that child abuse charge is bogus
It's so stupid, and now we have one more person in jail who will be unable to contribute to society now, or in the future.
The scale and the amount are what led to intent to sell. 3 ounces is between $500-$1200 worth depending on the quality.
Hey! what does owned by a black guy have to do with anything I bet you walk around with a butt plug
Antwan; Jacques was making fun of people who blame stuff on Black people (he was defending Blacks), looks like you may need that butt plug to loosen up your own back side.
The fact that Blacks are tolerant of weed, is one of the things I like about Black people.
Scubasteve:
I think it depends on where you live. Here (Houston) if it's "reggie/schwag" it could be $150 for three ounces, and that's still not poor quality. It was the scale that brought the intent to sell for sure, but that doesn't mean he was intending to sell. He could have just picked it up and brought the scale with him to make sure he didn't get cheated on the weight. LEGALIZE IT ALREADY. This man will now be in jail, especially with his prior, instead of contributing to society. More tax dollars.
He was very stupid to put it in his child's backpack though.
From his mug shot, I can't picture him as "contributing to society". I also don't think he pays taxes on any of that sold pot that he probably uses to subsidize his welfare payments with.....
I don't care if pot is legalized, I hope it is. On the other hand, it bugs me when people feel its wrong to enforce the drug law. Yeah, you focus on the fact that THC is not that dangerous a drug. But you fail to realize the following points:
1. since its a black market commodity, you can be sure you are supporting gangs that commit atrocities in order to bring this illegal drug to your city.
2. people who drive under the influence of THC are creating a danger to others
3. There must be respect for the law. Its not up to the individual to decide which laws are to be respected. When laws harm people severely, then by all means violate them for a higher purpose. If pot is medically needed, then by all means. I myself might break the law, and smoke some at a party. However, if I am caught, I take responsibility and pay the price--most likely a small fine in my area. This man had enough to make the price quite steep, not very bright of him.
They dont want him working and contributing to society. They want him inside looking out and feeding the for profit prison system. That's what the for profit system is all about.
Stoopid:
1.Plenty of people grow it themselves, and are small time dealers. Granted, that's a very small percentage of dealers, and that doesn't happen in larger cities as much as in the country. So this is dependant on the person of whom you're buying from, but you're right, most people wouldn't even think about this fact.
2. Not more danger than the stupid 16 year old girl in her daddies sports car with the volume blasting dancing and giggling with a bunch of friends, while texting. I actually see this a lot. Also, I wouldn't think it's as dangerous as someone driving while they're angry. That's some dangerous driving.
3. I agree.
Happens too much... guns, pills, alcohol etc.! Why can't parents lock their stash up? stupid. It's not that hard to secure drugs, guns etc.! Obviously you can't fix a FELONY STUPID PERSON!
That should be good for a twenty year sentence. Reguardless, he will be out at the end of the year as obama gives him a presidential pardon on his way out of the WhiteHouse.
Oh, do go @!$%# yourself.
And the award for village idiot goes to........
jailed for drug possession, nice waste of our tax dollars
Exactly. I'm glad we got this vicious felon off the streets. God forbid he smoke a joint on his back porch tonite
Yeah, there's no bigger threat to our community than an herb being smoked
Sure. that's all very fine and well if he kept it on his back porch, but he sent it to an elementary school. With kids with developing brains.
It's ok Katy, half the people commenting don't have developed brains already. No point in even trying to have it make sense to them.
It all comes down to it's illegal. Obviously that much pot is not for personal use. If people don't like the laws then work to get them changed but that doesn't give you the right to smoke pot until it is actually legalized. Even if it becomes legalized, do you stoners really think they're going to really allow people under the age of 18 to buy it or smoke it? Highly doubt it.
On a side note, I think murder is about to be legalized so i'm going to go out and kill someone too.
Epidemic:
"Obviously that much pot is not for personal use."
Obviously you don't smoke, and don't know people who do. 3 OZ is NOT a lot. I don't smoke, but have before and know plenty of people who do...
Katy M
What about the effect of junk food in school cafeterias has on kids' brains? Just shows how misguided we are as a country.
murder has not been legalized but character assassination is perfectly fine, having been established by the common usage of the technique by the socialist democrats in this country. however if you are a conservative you are not allowed to do anything the leftist do ... or your character will be killed.
The parent probably sent it to the school for the teacher as a reward for indoctrinating children with the socialist lies and hypocrisy of the democrats.
Whether or not 3 oz is "that much" is very relative. For personnel use I know people who could make 3 oz last three years. I also know some real dumb azzes that couldn't make it last a month.
With this much pot it's definitely more likely there was intent to sell. I don't know a single person who would even want to be in possession of that much to begin with.
@epidemic.........3 oz's is not too much for a personal stash. I used to think that if I got below a half pound I was running out. They just want to tag you for every little thing they can in order to better feed that for profit prison system for as long and continuously as possible, that's what the deal is.
Idiot father. Mother couldn't be too bright either if she picked this loser. CPS will be snatching kid soon. Classic case of neglect.
Well, mate selection isn't a strength of most people. The divorce rate and the amount of single parents should be an indication.
JPR; are you one of those posters who praises CPS on one thread and then denounces them on the next?
It's the Democrats fault - if they would just close all Public schools like the Republicans want - the kid never would have been put in that situation to start with.
I love the last line of this story...
"Police did not release the name or gender of the child."
Yet the title of the link is:
"Dad hides pot in SONS bag."
Guess who let the cat out of the bag!
DRAINBRAMAGE... Not hardly since I collect my pension for being an Investigator for many years. I would have indicated the case quickly (in CPS talk, found the guy guilty).
drain on society
"Dad hides pot in SONS bag."
Who? That Stevens guy?
It is OK though.
He also had skittles in the backpack
Nice, and a grape soda
personal use my a==...black people really are worthless...
I can't believe there are people like you who still exist.
racist.
mary52, you're the epitome of racism, ignorance and intolerance. My condolences to your family and any friends you may have.
Wow! mary52 your one of thios countries problems. Can't believe that post.
wonder what a black person did to you? dont start spreading hatred on one entire group because someone did you wrong! my gosh some of the greatest minds of our country are black.......but apparently thats all thrown out of the park because a few of them, like white people dont know how to control themselves!
Thank you, Mary. My feelings exactly.
some work really hard...others....kool aid anyone?
mary ...that was hateful...
The man needs a scale for "personal use"? The man is an idiot; furthermore, although I think the possession and consumption of marijuana should be legal, it should not be available to anyone under the age of 18 or 21 and penalties should apply to the use of it by minors, the same as that of alcohol, the most abused drug of all that causes more death, violence, misery and broken marriages than all other drugs combined.
I agree with you! Except that he could have taken the scale with him when he bought it (and then immediatly stashed it in the childs backpack) to make sure the dealer actually gave him the right amount and didn't cheat him.
i'm not trying to defend this clown at all. that said, i always weigh my personal amounts to make sure that i'm not getting screwed.
I see nothing but a bunch of dopes, defending dope. And Mary52 your a racist person, you need help, seriously! Your no better than he is.
kimberly, alcohol is dope. What do you think of all those who consume alcohol?
kimberly you are a dope never heard of anyone arrested for stoned driving or beating their wife when they were stoned but when people get drunk they kill people on the road and in homes i don't do either but i am not gonna say it shouldn't be legal or if they don't want to make it legal make alcohol illegal like all the other drugs
why should gays get married when you have great parents like this...
Legalize.
Oh my goodness! They arrested a black man in Florida for breaking the law!
Dumb ASS Deserve's it
first: some people are single parents due to spouse being deceased or like a woman on my street-being raped. There is more than what you people are claiming as for being single parents. Yes divorce is pretty high up there but there are other factors too. Second: he needed the scale to weigh his food so he doesn't gain weight or loose too much weight smoking that weed. As for child endangerment-I'd agree. You don't know if his supplier or suppliees would trail that child and kill them. Drugs-regardless of what it is are dangerous. Several children each year die from over doses by ingesting this stuff. I hope that the family gets the help they need to help them become positive role models in their community.
don't forget the women that are single parents to get their welfare money
mary52.....really?? Now, that's not a very nice thing to say.
And this is your brain on drugs.
and I'd like a side of bacon to go with it.
ummmm......everything is better with bacon.........
It's past time to quit smoking the sh_t when things like this happen.
Now that is called "a bad day".
This child has a very bright future ahead of him.
Mother and father choose sterilization then charges should be reduced to neglict. He already has been prosecuted for drugs, and still uses. Sterilize, take the child away and let the 2 so called parents get on with destruction of their lives. Every one becomes a winner.
Why would you put your drugs in your son's backpack. I never get that stupid when i puff now and then. I keep my kush where I can get to it, and not in anything that would leave my house. He shouldn't get jail time. He should be put in a mental institution. Cause you gotta be crazy to do something like this. What a moron...
If this "dangerous drug" was legalized or even decriminalized, he wouldn't have to hide it in his kid's backpack. The law is totally archaic and simply wrong. The jails in America are filled with non-violent offenders like this. Just because he is a "block-head," doesn't make him a criminal worthy of incarceration. Time to move forward into the 21st. Century with up dated legislation and laws with appropriate penalties for alleged corresponding crimes.
I'm fine with marijuana being legalized, but it is absolutely ridiculous to blame the law for people breaking the law. Plus, he may not have been hiding it from the police, but from his wife. Just because it's legal doesn't mean she would want it around.
Robert--while in the main I agree with you that maybe marijuana should be legalized, this case points out the main reason why I, in actuality, am NOT in favor of that legalization. I have known two fine young teenagers, kids of acquaintances of mine who routinely smoke pot in the home, and left their 'stash' in a paper bag in their closet, and in both cases, the sons, after watching dad break the law in such a blase' fashion, began helping themselves to the MJ, and also giving it to friends. In both cases, the teens ended up smoking it ALL the time--even going to their cars at noon to get high, and both dropped out of HS, and never went on to college. Neither has been able to hold on to a steady job, but every time I encounter either one, you can STILL smell the distinctive odor of cannabis on them.
If there were ANY guarantee that if you legalized pot, people would be responsible in not allowing their kids to have access, I'd be all in favor. But I do NOT want to make it easier for young KIDS to have access to it.
Their bodies don't need the exposure, and they are not mature enough to handle it, IMOHO.
Katy M--sorry, but I don't believe that the wife could NOT know. The smell of pot lingers on a person's clothes and is VERY distinctive.
And Robert--this law MAY be archaic, but that does not make it OK to break it. Work to legalize pot? Good on ya, mate. Break the law? Not so hot. I bet you are one who also says we shouldn't deport illegals just because they broke our law by coming here, right? Never mind that they break ANOTHER law by working here illegally, another by not paying taxes, another by using fake or stolen ID, another by driving without a DL, etc. When you WINK at breaking ANY law, you wind up with a society that believes they can break ANY LAW that they PERSONALLY find inconvenient. And that is how Mexico ended up in the state THEY are in.
I don't WANT a country like that.
in some states you can break federal law and still by a law abiding person in your state
well when you say any law this may sound trivial but what about STOP signs i always make sure my tires have stopped moving but i rarely see anyone else obey this law or what about SPEED LIMITS in front of my house it is 45 mph but if you didn't know you would think it was 70 so if you don't obey the traffic laws don't be lecturing about the others
MomAid,
My point was that the child could have ended up with the pot in his backpack even if it was legal. That to blame illegality for where the pot ended up was not placing the blame where it truly belonged.
Butthead!
Teacher to Boy: Where is your homework?
Boy to Teacher: My Dad used my paper to roll a cigarette. See...I have proof....there used to be more in my backpack....I saw it all go up in smoke.
Where is Al Sharpton, when he is needed so desperately again in Florida ?