CRIMES
The Charge: Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance
Record: On June 20, officers observed James E. Rushing “drinking from a cup of what appeared to be an alcoholic beverage” on the 2300 block of Savannah Street SE. “Rushing was detained. The substance (liquid) was smelled and was consistent with that of an alcoholic beverage. Rushing was placed under arrest. A search incident to that arrest revealed three (3) ziplock bags from with(in) the front groin area, inside of his underwear.…A subsequent field test of the suspected [marijuana] was conducted with positive results for THC.”
The Charge: Unlawful Possession With Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance; Unlawful Distribution of a Controlled Substance
Record: On Nov. 7, members of the 7th District Vice Unit were conducting “buy/bust” operations by Savannah Street SE. They inquired with a man about buying a “dime bag.” That man escorted them to 2283 Savannah St., where they met with Rushing, and he sold them a bag with a “green weed substance.”
Convicted: 11/30/07
PLEAS FOR MERCY
Lawyer: “He’s definitely determined to work hard. He’s lived 28 years without doing that stuff, and he’ll live the next 28 years without doing it, if you give him the chance,” says attorney Eleanor L. Frucci.
Defendant: “I realized the choices I make in life don’t always just affect me; it affects other people.”
PUNISHMENT
The Sentence: Ten days in jail for the first charge. Ninety days in jail for the second set of charges. Time will be served consecutively. —Ruth Samuelson