Nelson man charged with marijuana possession

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 with 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