Synthetic Cannabinoids Found at Richards High School Fireworks Show: Police

Christopher Ephraim, 26 | Illinois Department of Corrections

Oak Lawn, IL -- A paroled burglar selling Fourth of July merchandise during the fireworks show at Richards High School was arrested after Oak Lawn police discovered synthetic cannabinoids in his bag, reports said.

Police were conducting a premises check when they encountered Christopher Ephraim, 26, of Chicago, and another Chicago woman, later identified as 47-year-old Michelle Ephraim-Wasso, selling merchandise on the Richards football field.

According to the report, police approached Ephraim and asked if he had a permit. He identified himself as “Sonny Ephraim” and gave two different birthdays.

After checking his information, police learned that Ephraim was lying about his name, and that he was Christopher Ephraim on parole for burglary, police said.

Ephraim was taken into custody. While searching Ephraim, police said they found a plastic package labeled “Scooby Snax,” a green leafy substance known to be a synthetic cannabinoid and controlled substance.

Police also approached the other individuals on the other side of the football field who were also selling merchandise. A woman who identified herself as Michelle Ephraim-Wasso allegedly told police she had a permit to sell merchandise at the fireworks show.

When police discovered that there was no one with an Illinois driver’s license or state ID by that name, she was taken into custody.

While transporting Christopher Ephraim to the Oak Lawn police station, he asked detectives if they could give him a break by not charging him with felony, police said.

Ephraim allegedly invited police to search his bag “because there is nothing in it,” the report said. Told by police they had found synthetic cannabinoids, Ephraim repled it couldn’t be true because “I rolled the last blunt earlier,” reports said.

Police charged Ephraim with felony possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor obstructing ID.

Michelle Ephraim-Wasso was charged with misdemeanor obstructing ID.

During a bond hearing on July 5, Ephraim’s attorney told the judge his client wasn’t giving police a fake name because he is also known as “Sonny.”

The attorney also mentioned that the suspect cannabinoids have to undergo testing at the state crime lab.

According to Ephraim’s prison record, he is out on parole for a five-year sentence on a 2015 burglary conviction.

Bail was set at $30,000. The judge also ordered random drug testing should he bond out.