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Post by musicradio77 on Aug 31, 2005 22:27:35 GMT -5
From the Daily Freeman:
One more drug offense could land Garfunkel in jail
By Hallie Arnold, Freeman staff
WOODSTOCK - Singer Art Garfunkel, charged with marijuana possession on Sunday for the second time in 19 months, faces a fine of only $200 if convicted but could be sent to jail if arrested and convicted a third time.
Garfunkel, 63, half of the folk music duo Simon and Garfunkel, was charged after a state trooper pulled him over for running a stop sign at state Routes 375 and 212 in Woodstock and detected a "strong odor" of marijuana in the 2005 Buick the singer was driving, according to the police report.
A search of the car turned up a marijuana cigarette in the ashtray, police said.
It was Garfunkel's second arrest in Ulster County for marijuana possession, which is classified as a criminal violation.
In January 2004, he was charged after the limousine in which he was riding was pulled over for speeding on state Route 28 in Hurley and a trooper, smelling marijuana, found a small amount of the drug in Garfunkel's jacket pocket.
Garfunkel, who lives on East 79th Street in Manhattan, pleaded guilty in that case and paid a $100 fine and a $100 surcharge.
The lawyer who represented Garfunkel in that case, Michael Federoff, did not return a call about the singer's latest arrest.
Ulster County District Attorney Donald A. Williams said because Garfunkel has a previous conviction for marijuana possession, he faces a $200 fine if found guilty this time.
But "I don't believe fining Art Garfunkel $200 will serve as a tremendous deterrent," Williams said.
A third offense, however, could result in up to 15 days in jail, Williams said.
Garfunkel is due in Woodstock Town Court at 6 p.m. Sept. 22.
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