Nearby News: Bristol Man Arrested For Hunting Under the Influence in Southbury

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Police Environmental Conservation Police officers arrested Raymond Lass, 22, of Bristol, on Wednesday, April 25.

He was arrested on charges of hunting under the influence of alcohol or drugs and possession of marijuana. Lass was arrested in Aldo Leopold Wildlife Management Area in Southbury, according to a press release from the DEEP.

The DEEP EnCon Police officers on patrol on Kuhne Road in Southbury observed a vehicle parked in an area adjacent to a section of private land that borders Aldo Leopold Wildlife Management Area.

The officers checked the area and located Lass hunting on state land. Lass was hunting from a popup blind and as officers approached the blind, they smelled what they believed to be a strong odor of burning marijuana, the press release stated.

The officers looked into the blind and observed Lass smoking what appeared to be a marijuana cigarette. Officers seized a quantity of suspected marijuana and conducted a field sobriety test on Lass, which he allegedly failed.

Lass did have a hunting license and the necessary permits to turkey hunt. He was arrested and released on a written promise to appear in Superior Court in Waterbury on May 9.

Hunting under the influence is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison and/or up to a $2,000 fine. Marijuana possession carries a $150 fine.