BANGOR, Maine — A local man who last year was caught by Acadia National Park rangers with more than two ounces of marijuana on park land was sentenced Wednesday in federal court to two years of probation and a $1,000 fine.
Alexander J. Batson, 23, was stopped by rangers on May 27, 2014 after one spotted an open container of alcohol in his vehicle. After Batson turned over a small amount of marijuana on his person, the rangers asked to search his car and found just over two ounces of processed marijuana, a digital scale, 15 to 20 plastic baggies, a marijuana pipe and $3,200 in cash.
Batson was charged with a federal misdemeanor for marijuana possession because he was caught with the drug in a national park. He faced up to a year in prison and up to a $100,000 fine.
He told the rangers that he sold marijuana so he could buy gas for his car and smoke marijuana for free, Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Ruge told U.S. District Court Judge John Nivison.
“He did acknowledge that he did deal marijuana,” the prosecutor said.
Ruge asked for three years of probation, after revealing that Batson admitted to using heroin while out on bail for the federal marijuana charge.
“I think the court can be concerned about what is needed to keep him from committing further crimes against the community,” Ruge said.
Marvin Glazier, Batson’s defense attorney, asked for no probation.
“My client is still in school and still is getting good grades and graduates on May 9,” Glazier said, adding he also may already have a job lined up for after graduation.
Batson also took responsibility for the crime.
“I know what I did was wrong and I understand that. I have a lot of family that support me and the last thing I want to do is disappoint them,” he said. “I know no one is going to want to hire a user of drugs.”
Nivison said Batson’s prior criminal history, which includes an operating under the influence conviction and a previous marijuana possession charge, and the fact that he used heroin while out on bail were aggravating factors that he considered when setting the sentence.
“Anyone who is an addict or who has a drug problem… you usually need support. For that reason, in addition to the $1,000 fine that is mandatory minimum, I conclude a period of two years of probations is appropriate.”