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Crime Scene
Posted at 07:48 AM ET, 10/18/2011

Rutherford Institute to defend man in Va. pot bust case

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — A civil liberties group is going to bat for a Virginia man who was arrested after a police SWAT team descended on his property to seize two marijuana plants.

Philip Cobbs is scheduled to appear Tuesday in District Court on a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge. The Rutherford Institute is defending him.

According to the civil liberties group, the marijuana plants were allegedly seen on Cobbs’ 39-acre property by military helicopter surveillance.

The Rutherford Institute contends that authorities did not have a search warrant and that the 53-year-old former teacher was not read his rights.

The possession count carries a maximum penalty of 30 days in jail and a $500 fine.

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By the Associated Press  |  07:48 AM ET, 10/18/2011

Categories:  Virginia

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