Smithfield Police Arrest Man for Assault Warrant, Find Backpack Full of Pot

If the police are already looking for you, carrying around enough pot to get earn a felony possession charge is probably a bad idea.

Scott D. Turner, 30, of 6 Hazel Drive., Smithfield, learned that the hard way March 12 when Smithfield Police Patrolman Peter J. DiMarco found the man, already wanted on a warrant for simple assault, walking on Hazel Drive.

DiMarco spotted Turner walking on the street at about 12:16 p.m., watching him notice his cruiser and make a sudden right toward the intersection of Fatima Drive and Ursula Drive, according to the patrolman's report.

DiMarco caught up to Turner and spoke with him, identifying him as the subject of the warrant, and arrested him. A search of his backpack, which Turner consented to, turned up a scale and about 8 ounces (235 grams) of marijuana worth about $1,200. 

The amount of marijuana qualified for a felony charge, even under the recent update to RI law that decriminalize possession of less than an ounce of the substance, which took effect Monday.

DiMarco reported that Turner said the marijuana was for his personal use to treat headaches, although he was turned down for a medical marijuana card.

Turner was charged with possesson of marijuana, first offense, a misdemeanor, and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, a felony.