Kent County Sheriffs on Friday seized marijuana and drug paraphernalia in simultaneous raids on the home, business and vehicle owned by James Thomas Mussleman, 36, of Worton, Maryland.
“He was charged with possession,” said Cpl. Nathan Blazejack of the Kent Sheriff’s Office. “We got a couple bags.”
“Mussleman had been under investigation for over two years and a drug distribution investigation at the skate shop led to the search warrants,” said a press release issued by the Sheriff’s office on Monday.
Mussleman was released on $3,000 unsecured bond.
Charges are still pending against other adults and juveniles, the press release said.
The KC Sheriff’s Tactical Entry Team and Chestertown Police Department assisted in the raids.
Jack Offett says
Two year investigation results in simple possession charges. I would love to see the time and expense sheets on this investigation. The Spy should demand them.
joe diamond says
Hmmmmmmmm!
“2011
NYPD police chief Ray Kelly issued a memo calling on officers to deprioritize misdemeanor marijuana arrests, which had previously consumed massive police resources and led to racial profiling practices. This is consistent with municipal laws in Oakland, San Francisco, and Seattle which classify marijuana possession as the “lowest law enforcement priority,” the closest a city government can likely come to unilaterally legalizing marijuana possession without operating in violation of state law.”
Why do the cops really want this guy?
How about property confiscation? Is that part of this picture? There has to be more to this than three bags and a two year investigation. Glad he didn’t kick the dogs!
Joe
Jack Offett says
Good point. There was a case last year where the Sheriff seized a house. Apparently the big bust was plead out to a misdemeanor. There was rumors that the police used funny business to set up the defendant. That may be the Sheriff’s new goal in life. Maybe we should re-name Kent to Nottingham. Another reason that The Spy should seek records from the Sheriff. The public needs to know just how much time and money is wasted on this nonsense when we can either cut the spending altogether or redeploy the staff to more pressing law enforcement needs.
Concerned Mom says
This is very disappointing! My 7 & 10 year old sons loved skateboarding on the little ramp there. “Mr. Muss” was always very nice to them. What a shame!
Editor says
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rachel goss says
Sad – but not surprised…when the shop was in town, they had plans to sell glass pipes out of the back room…because nothing sez Happy Skating like a bong shop!
Jason Yiannakis says
To everyone that is second guessing the Sheriff’s Narcotics Enforcement Team (NET),
You have no idea what goes into these invesigations. I guess selling marijuana at a skate shop where your children skate and hang out is alright by you. The fact that only a “couple of bags” were seized does not mean that there was not more marijuana there prior to the NET serving the Search and Seizure Warrant. Furthermore in order to get the warrant Musselman must have SOLD some marijuana to a confidential informant, this is what we call the Probable Cause in the application and affidavit for the search warrant.
In reference to the residence that was seized last year, the Sheriff does not have control over the Plea agreement’s that the States Attorney for Kent County makes. Many factors are considered in the seizure of a car, house, other property. One of the biggest is the amount of money owed on the particular item. If a car is seized and there is $25,000.00 dollars still owed on it, obviously it is not in the best interest of Law Enforcement to spend that amount of money to keep the vehicle. Same goes for a house. Anyway you look at it Marijuana is still ILLEGAL and this is not New York, Oakland, San Fransisco, or Seattle. I am sure the Sheriff, and the Chiefs of Police for Rock Hall and Chestertown, as well as the barrack commander in Centreville at MSP would love to hear your list of, “More pressing Law Enforcement needs!!”
A shop supporter and proud parent says
As a mature adult I would like to comment. I have been in the store and respect what he does for kids. He put a ramp in there, lent safety gear to kids, and made calls to parents for permission before there kids could skate. Yes he sold smoking pipes but keep in mind it was in a private room where the kids couldn’t see. I have seen these same smoke pipes for sale in gas stations and visible. At least he kept it out of site. Now I am not sure about marijuana but from what I heard people where searched as they came in to the store by the police. If that is the case wouldn’t that be an illegal search because the warrant was for the business not the customers? From what I have been told the skate shop did sell synthetic marijuana which is not illegal in Maryland. I see a possible lawsuit coming for the Police department if he gets a good lawyer and can get the trial moved out of Chestertown. Honestly I hope he wins this, because Mr. Muss always was good to the kids in the area.
joe diamond says
Jason,
You miss the point. The whole marijuana law and enforcement idea was founded to supres minorities with fictional accounts of madness & wild, dangerous users. When the B… S… science of pot was finally put away the money motive began to motivate cops. Wrap your mind around the idea that just because something is a law doesn’t make it a good idea or or something that should be done. Yes, I am sure all parties here, the cops and the state’s attorney acted within the current law.
Marijuana prosecutions are expensive so cops can take stuff….even if they do not get a conviction…..even if the person is innocent……..not just not guilty….but wrongfully arrested…………the cops get to keep private property.
Get it?
Joe
Jack Offett says
I am confident that more public oversight can only help a department that needs two years to locate a few bags of pot. This exposes our # 1 most pressing public safety threat: continued blind government abuse of the taxpayers’ resources.
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rachel goss says
Repeat – Sad but not Surprised…
Sad because he did try to accomodate the kids – the Sunday afternoon skate-time was fun and he did make arrangements to take in-town kids out to Worton…
Not Surprised because one doesn’t sell bongs wo a reason…who cares if a gas-station sells them, too.
I am glad that our police investigated – possession and distribution of marijuana is Illegal…plain and simple.
Had the raid/investigation resulted in a larger bust – maybe people would be happier. Size doesn’t matter. I am glad they were busted.
My example is buzzed driving – buzzed or drunk – it is still illegal and dangerous to drink and drive.
joe diamond says
Hey Rachel,
This one can come to you. The feds admit that the money supply is contaminated with drug residue. One hundred dollar bills get bundled in the presence of drugs like cocaine. Detectable amounts of the drug are present on bill you get from a bank. So you go to DMV fot your new tags and they test your money for drugs………….then they go to some mindless judge with this testimony about probable cause to search your residence.
Then they kick down your door…………….pretty legal………….OK with you?
Joe
rachel goss says
Since I have nothing to hide…and I trust our law enforcement and judicial system…I am ‘ok’.
Kristin Komar says
As someone who has known Mr.Musselman for years I have a very hard time believing any of this
Isabel Cumming says
As a skatemom of one of Jamie’s sponsored skateboarders – who happens to also be a 20 veteran prosecutor — I think it is sad that so many stereotypes are being thrown around here. Jamie always looked out for the kids and he was nothing but kind and respectful to me and my son. The burden is on the State — he is INNOCENT till proven guilty. Looks like the State has an uphill battle.