Marijuana delays suspect's court date
By Lee Williams
Published in News on November 21, 2006 1:46 PM
A Goldsboro man who arrived in court to answer his fourth driving while intoxicated charge ended up in more hot water Monday after authorities found drugs in his possession and discovered that his blood alcohol content was more than three times the legal limit.
Robert Lee Quinn's latest troubles with the law began as soon as he walked into the front door at the Wayne County Courthouse -- literally.
As he headed through the security stand, Quinn, 40, of Kearney Lane, threw his personal effects into a white bowl at about 9 a.m. But instead of retrieving his items and heading to court as planned, Quinn found himself in the presence of a Goldsboro police officer.
Quinn's encounter with Goldsboro police Officer Jeremy Sutton began after a security guard alleged Quinn tossed a bag of marijuana into the bowl -- instead of the typical set of keys, spare change or a cell phone.
"He threw marijuana down at the courthouse," Goldsboro police Officer Sgt. G.N. Lynch said. "He was stopped and approached by an officer. He was arrested and brought before a magistrate judge, who gave him a $1,000 unsecured bond."
Quinn became verbally abusive when he was brought before the magistrate judge for a bond hearing on a simple possession of marijuana charge that was levied against him Monday.
"He was cursing at the magistrate judge because he said he had a court date," Lynch said. "He was taken before District Court Judge Les Turner and was given 30 days for contempt after they figured out he was intoxicated in the courtroom."
Quinn was given a breathalyzer. His BAC registered at .35, Lynch said. The legal limit is .08.
Quinn was shocked when he learned the results of the breathalyzer.
"I blew a .35. I should be dead," court officials said Quinn told the judge.
For the infraction, Judge Turner ordered Quinn to spend 30 days in the county lockup, Lynch said.
Details regarding what criminal charge brought Quinn to the courthouse was unavailable at presstime. The marijuana possession charge, however, is still pending. Quinn is scheduled to answer that charge on Dec. 5 in District Court, officials said.
Courthouse security guards are surprised by the number of people who try to enter the courthouse with drugs in their possession.
One visitor reportedly placed his crack pipe and crack cocaine in the bowl and attempted to enter the courthouse. In September, another visitor allegedly threw a homemade marijuana pipe in the bowl at the security stand and tried to enter. After she was detained, police allegedly found marijuana in her purse.