Supporters of a 20-year-old man currently in the Brown County Jail, who was arrested on drug related charges, claim that the drugs found on him were for medicinal purposes and used to treat the man’s asthma.
According to Senior Trooper Sparky Dean of the Texas Highway Patrol (TDPS), 20-year-old Christopher Diaz from Amarillo was stopped on June 27thtraveling in a 1990 Mercedes station wagon on U.S. Highway 67 west of Brownwood. Texas Highway Patrol Senior Trooper Martin Molotsky noticed the Mercedes was displaying expired registration and initiated a traffic stop according to Dean.
Trooper Molotsky made contact with the driver and requested the driver’s license and insurance which Diaz did not produce because he did not have one Dean said. DPS also states that Diaz was asked numerous times for his name, but failed to give it to the trooper.
Trooper Molotsky then began to make a custody arrest for failure to identify Dean said, and, during the arrest procedures, the driver was searched and a quantity of hashish was discovered. A subsequent search of the vehicle produced a quantity of marijuana and an additional quantity of hashish Dean said.
Diaz was arrested and charged with Possession of Marijuana (less than two ounces) and Manufacture of Controlled Substance, over four grams and under 4oo grams (hashish). According to Dean, this is in Penalty Group II and a second degree felony.
Trooper Molotsky contacted the vehicle’s owner by a phone number given to him and he was advised that the driver was her son Dean said.
Since the arrest on June 27, Diaz’s supporters have come to Brownwood requesting his release. They have expressed their belief to authorities that the drugs found on Diaz were bona fide prescriptions for asthma issued to him in California.
Trooper Dean said that Texas does not recognize medical marijuana and will treat it as an illegal substance.
Many supporters of Diaz, who have come to Brownwood to lobby for his release, also claim that Diaz is being denied treatment for his asthma and is not being allowed access to his attorney or his special organic diet.
The Brown County Chief Deputy Bobby Duvall said today in a statement that Diaz has always had access to an attorney.
“The jail has a pretty broad policy when it comes to allowing lawyers to see the inmates,” Duvall said. “They just have to play by obvious rules concerning security.”
The Sheriff’s officials also said that the jail doctor is aware of the medical file and Diaz will receive real medical attention, if needed.
“We provide very good medical attention to all the inmates and he is in good hands until he leaves,” Duvall said.
Duvall did note that Diaz will not receive any marijuana or similar drugs for treatment while in their custody.
Diaz is held on $40,000 in bonds and his supporter’s state on their website that they have no intention of paying for his release.
For more information on this story, visit recent articles at BigCountryHomepage.com and the Abilene Reporter News.
