Video Of Busted Spring Lake Heights Official: 'I Forgot The Weed'

An official from Monmouth County was recorded on an Asbury Park Press video telling his female passenger "I forgot about the weed" after a hypodermic needle was found, the publication revealed on Friday (see video below-explicit language-viewer discretion below).

Spring Lake Heights Councilman Robert T. Merriken Sr., 68, told Neptune City police, “I’m a major figure in Spring Lake Heights” and "I apologize" during the April arrest, according to the footage obtained by the Asbury Park Press through a public records request.

Cherice M. Hernandez, 39, of Lake Como also was arrested, according to the video. "What are they arresting you...I didn't bring any needles with me," she was recorded as saying.

Merriken has disputed reports that has resigned from office following his arrest by Neptune City on a disorderly persons offense and possession of drug paraphernalia and a hypodermic needle in April, according to The Star News.

Merriken said that Borough Administrator John Barrett had suggested in a phone conversation that he resign in light of the arrest but he did not agree to do so, according to the publication.

The Press also reported that Merriken has a prior history of prostitution arrests, including charges that he paid a woman $25 for sex in a Jewish cemetery.

Here is the video:

Patch photo