New Jersey man charged in drug case

12/29/2006

VAN WERT, Ohio - A New Jersey motorist who was stopped for speeding Wednesday on U.S. 30 in Van Wert County was charged with possession of marijuana after troopers found a half pound of the drug and a handgun in his rental car.

Shariff A. Robinson, 30, of Newark, was charged in Van Wert Municipal Court on a fifth-degree felony of possession of marijuana.

He also was charged with speeding, driving without a valid license, and drug paraphernalia, all misdemeanors. The driver was stopped at 4:50 p.m. near Liberty Union Road.

Troopers said a half-pound of marijuana was found in the trunk's spare tire compartment and a 22-caliber pistol was under the rear seat.

Mr. Robinson was being held in the Van Wert County jail.