CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) - A central Virginia man will go to trial July 18 on a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge stemming from what civil liberties attorneys call a SWAT team-like raid on his land that netted two pot plants.
The Rutherford Institute says a judge in Albemarle County Circuit Court ruled Thursday that law enforcement officials did not violate Philip Cobbs' 4th Amendment rights when they conducted helicopter surveillance and a warrantless raid on his 38-acre property in July 2011.
The Rutherford Institute said Judge Cheryl V. Higgins denied its motion to suppress evidence. Cobbs faces up to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine if convicted of the possession charge.
Rutherford President John Whitehead said the 53-year-old former teacher is the latest American swept up in the government's "zealous pursuit of marijuana."
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