Marshall Democrat-News: Local News: Nelson man arrested early Wednesday, charged with drug possession (UPDATE 12:45 p.m.) (07/08/09)

A Nelson man was arrested shortly after midnight Wednesday, July 8, on suspicion of possessing marijuana and drug paraphernalia, according to a Saline County Sheriff's Department report.

Anthony J. Barker, 22, was charged in Saline County Circuit Court class A misdemeanor possession of up to 35 grams marijuana, class A misdemeanor unlawful use of drug paraphernalia and class C misdemeanor operating a motor vehicle without maintaining financial responsibility. His arrest came after a deputy observed a car drive across the center line and into the opposite lane on a Nelson street, according to the report.

In the vehicle were Barker, a woman and a child, according to the report.

Barker allegedly appeared to be nervous and showed signs of intoxication, the deputy said. During questioning, Barker allegedly turned over to the deputy a metal cylinder containing a green leafy substance that later tested positive for the active ingredient in marijuana.

A pipe of the type used to smoke marijuana allegedly was found in the woman's purse, the deputy said.

Editor's note: Charges contained in reports provided by law enforcement officials are not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting charges must be presented before a jury, whose duty is to determine if the accused is guilty or not guilty of the charges.

Contact Eric Crump at marshalleditor@socket.net

If you want any/more prison time for offenders then build more jail cells. There are too many way more violent offenders that need to be locked up before this guy, which is not right, but would you rather have a murderer walking the street or a pot head? Neither, but that isn't possible today. It's simply a problem of lack of space.

Judges are told if you send one in then you better be ready to let one out on the other end.

Build more jails if you want more prison time, but nobody wants to spend the money or put them anywhere close to where they live. Quit complaining if you are not willing to fund the solution.

-- Posted by Cheese on Thu, Jul 9, 2009, at 12:52 AM

He is Not From Nelson He is From Stl.

-- Posted by only you on Wed, Jul 8, 2009, at 10:28 PM

Response by Eric Crump/Editor:

Court records list a Nelson address.

Wow, THESE crimes are misdemeanors, and the kid from Waverly gets charged with felonies for taking a bunch of sparklers and taping them together? Talk about a screwed up judicial system!

-- Posted by shock&awe on Wed, Jul 8, 2009, at 10:24 PM

I'm just suprised that a Sheriff's Deputy was at Nelson! They usually have NO law there!!

-- Posted by mosthonest1 on Wed, Jul 8, 2009, at 4:55 PM

Yank, these types of cases are usually handled by way of a fine only.

-- Posted by OldOwl on Wed, Jul 8, 2009, at 4:18 PM

ANOTHER PROBATION COMING UP!

-- Posted by yank on Wed, Jul 8, 2009, at 3:44 PM

Good Job more dope off the streets!!

-- Posted by Get A Grip on Wed, Jul 8, 2009, at 2:30 PM