Youths Caught Trespassing at Stevenson Dam, Smoking Marijuana: Police

A Shelton man is facing charges after police say he was found in possession of just less than one ounce of marijuana and other drug paraphernalia.

According to police, an officer observed a vehicle parked in a lot at the base of the Stevenson Dam in Monroe. The officer found that the vehicle was occupied by four individuals and when talking with them, he detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside of the vehicle.

A search of the car revealed three bags containing a total of 28 grams (just shy of one ounce) of marijuana, a glass smoking pipe, metal grinder and a digital scale, all inside a backpack located on the rear seat, police said.

According to police, Christian Mariano, 20 a rear seat passenger, admitted that the backpack and contraband inside belonged to him.

Mariano was charged with possession of less than four ounces of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was given a $500 bond and a court date of Aug. 21.

The other occupants of the car were given simple trespass warnings.