March 20, 2007

By Alan J. Keays Rutland Herald

A Norwich University student who plays in an indoor professional football league is facing a felony charge in Rutland of possessing a half pound of marijuana.

James D. Baker, 22, pleaded innocent Monday in Rutland District Court. He was released after promising to post 10 percent of his $7,500 bail by 4:30 p.m. today.

If convicted, Baker faces up to three years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Baker is a fifth-year senior at Norwich University and also plays professional football with the Rochester, N.Y., Raiders of the Continental Indoor Football League, Steven Zwicky, Baker's public defender, said in court Monday. Baker is listed a defensive end on the team's roster.

Baker was arrested at about 8 p.m. Sunday by police who said the 1994 Oldsmobile sedan he was traveling in was speeding. Police say the car was traveling 47 mph in a 35-mph zone on Woodstock Avenue in Rutland.

Police said after the stop, they could smell marijuana inside the car. Police said they asked for and received permission to search the car. While searching, police said, they found a large amount of marijuana inside a duffel bag in the back seat.

Baker, a passenger in the car, told police that the marijuana belonged to him, city police Officer Earl Post wrote in an affidavit.

"I advised Baker that depending on the weight of the marijuana (it) would determine whether it was a misdemeanor or felony. I further told him that the felony level was more than two ounces," Post wrote.

"Baker replied without being asked any question that the amount of marijuana was a half pound, as he had purchased that much."

Police said a half pound of marijuana has a street value in Vermont of between $1,000 and $1,500.

Baker was held overnight at the Rutland jail for lack of $10,000 bail.

Baker gave his address his parents' home in Brockport, N.Y. He also has an apartment in Northfield during the school year.

Deputy State's Attorney Kevin Klamm argued in court Monday for Baker to be held on $10,000 bail.

"He's bringing a half pound of marijuana into the state from out of state," the prosecutor said. "He has no ties to this area."

The prosecutor described Baker's chances of remaining in school following his arrest as "almost non-existent," adding, "My belief is he won't be in Norwich very much longer."

Zwicky asked Judge William Cohen to release his client on conditions, contending that he was not a risk to flee.

"We don't really know for sure what Norwich is going to do," the public defender added.

Norwich University officials could not be reached Monday evening for comment.

Cohen set bail at $7,500, but said he would allow Baker to be released if he posted 10 percent, or $750. The judge added that he would give Baker until 4:30 p.m. today to post the bail.

Baker's football team, the Rochester, N.Y., Raiders, played their first home game of the season Saturday night, a day before his arrest in Rutland. His team lost the game 62-30 to the Port Huron, Mich., Pirates.

The game was the first played in the Continental Indoor Football League, which was known last season as the Great Lakes Indoor Football League.
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another young life fucked up over assinine laws. for that fuckin DA to stand there and say the kids chances of returning to college because of 8 lids of i'm sure not very good weed is what we need laws against. that prick will use that young kids life for nothing more than to better his own career. asswipe

i was just talkin the other day with a buddy about how they should teach kids about rights in drivers ed. i mean shit, how are these kids gonna learn not to give in to searches. that and REAL drug education, not this DARE crap taught by cops that teach kids to snitch.

[budchopper]

and he could have locked it in the trunk,leaving it in plain site on back seat is careless.
at least he was honest and took all the blame for it.

i agree , he was foolish and naive. but to fuck the kids life for some flowers that grow in nature is just fukin crazy. yeah he has balls for takin it and not lettin his buddy go down also but we all have made mistakes. the thing is only make a mistake once. if you get caught doin it again, you're a dope. when i was a kid the cops always ended up with the best stuff around. no courts.

[Greenjag]

Don't you just hate the thought that in the future they'll be laughing at us for living in the Dark Ages?!!

anyone laughs at me,,,,,i'll poke them rite in the eye, dammit!

[Hoam Groan]

I don't know.. It's hard for me to sympathize for this feller when he knows the laws, breaks the laws, has blatant disregard for the law, and is completely careless when trying to transport his stash.

Always take the necessary precautions, that means DON'T SPEED.

i think it sucks but its all law and its screwed weither we like it or not and i do agree i see alot of scare tactics used in trying to cut down the use of cannabis and some of it i cant believe

[m-eh00]

Yeah it seem like most of the busts that I read about on the road are because of speeding (people are always in a hurry to go nowhere)/license plate light out, or something so small and easily avoided.

[badboyg]

I heard a bit on the news,, they are starting to "just stop" people to see the reactions and search your cars;; BS,,, they braged how they were finding all sorts of stuff ,, not just drugs,, warrents, cash.. which they just take,,

looks like next phase of the police state is in effect... bastards!!!!

[glock23]

I'm glad I don't live in the US anymore. Cops love to shit all over your rights. I hate playing that game. I'm gonna go smoke a bowl in peace now. The kid can always go to a different college. I feel for him. I ended up not finishing college because of a felony...