ST. GEORGE – A traffic stop put two California men in jail after a Utah Highway Patrol trooper found 15 pounds of marijuana in their vehicle.
Kyle Christensen, 20, and Austin Grider, 19, both of Hemet, Calif., were pulled over in a pickup truck around 2:18 p.m. when UHP Trooper Chris Terry saw a burnt-out brake light, a probable cause statement filed in conjunction with the arrests stated. They pulled off Interstate 15 and into the Pilot parking lot at Utah Exit 4 in St. George.
Terry approached the driver’s side of the vehicle to make initial contact and smelled raw marijuana from within the vehicle, the statement said. Christensen and Grider stated they had used marijuana before leaving California that morning. Terry had the two get out of the truck and conducted a probable cause search.
While searching the truck’s cab, Terry reported he found “marijuana shake all over the front passenger and driver floor board(s).”
“Marijuana shake” is defined by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration as “residual marijuana used for cooking marijuana edibles.”
The trooper continued his search and found 15 pounds of substance, suspected to be marijuana, in a duffel bag in the bed of the truck. He also came across various items suspected to be drug paraphernalia, including a pipe, vacuum sealer and vacuum sealer bags.
Both men were arrested and booked into Washington County’s Purgatory Correctional Facility for third-degree felony possession and class-B misdemeanor drug possession. Bail for each stands at $5,587.
Ed. Note: Persons charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
New from STGnews.com
St. George News App for Android®
St. George News App for iPhone®
Email: mkessler@stgnews.com
Twitter: @STGnews
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2013, all rights reserved.
15 pounds, was that personal use? I notice no distribution charge. Sounds like a distributable amount to me. LOL
I heard this trooper has no … and a little … That’s why he has to violate peoples rights to get … LOL but it’s true! I’m just telling it like it is!- check under “Values” of this site. Doubletap I mean Chris Terry you’re 5 years old because you had to get your mommy to stop anonymous from telling the truth. Anonymous has you and he’s right about the law and this stop smells funny. LOL because I’m pulling a Terry and can’t actually smell it.
Ed. ellipsis
I know many returning veterans who look at cases like this and the vet who was shot treating his PTSD as bullshit. The cop should get life if he violated his oath (if not the death penalty) There are odor chemist that can call out their lies. There was a could have been a federal case out of Chicago Illinois that got overturned. This so called policeman looks like a liar. If he is may he go to hell. Jonathan stoffels out of Chicago-case in point. Violating the constitution should be treated as murder 1st degree if not worse.
Don’t erase this. There are odor chemist out of Chicago Illinois that will call out police lying about the smell. Jonathon Stoffels out of Chicago. A lot of vets returning that are very concern earned about the vet (brother) you all killed trying to treat his PTSD!
1st amendment freedom of speech and press… Your rights too mrs. Kuzmanic! Doubletap needs to learn the law and if he is terry and proved that he lied he will go to hell!
Dear “police lie” – our comment approvals are not automated, we attend to them frequently, and sometimes we sleep.
ST. GEORGE NEWS | STGnews.com
Joyce Kuzmanic
Editor in Chief
Reading through your reports… How can you judge accurate speed at midnight in your rearview mirror? Lucky guess? Smelling through mylar food storage bags? Vaccum sealed bags? Who is carlos aerial castro fontemachi? A figment of your imagination? Violate rights much? You’re a liar Terry
I can’t believe you’re not in jail. The only reason you’re not in jail for perjury, robbery, assault, kidnapping and etc… Terry is the cover ups and grant money from the federal government. You’re the criminal by violating your oath of affirmation on your probable cause. Smell? You’re a LIAR You should be serving 2 years for lying under oath. …
Ed. ellipsis
They are not the smartest but the charges they are getting are bull…. There is no harm in possessing a flower even in a large amount. Another waste of tax dollars.
Ed. ellipsis
You sir….. Are an idiot…
No matter what any of us think on whether pot should or shouldn’t be illegal, it IS illegal. If I were transporting ANY illegal items (drugs, weapons, etc, etc), I’d darn well be sure not to speed, have a brake light out, have expired tags, or ANYTHING that could give probable cause for a stop. Had they not had an illegal substance, they would have gotten a warning, gone inside Pilot to get another bulb, replaced it, and been on their way.
I too am surprised they weren’t charged for possession with intent. I’m betting that charge will be added later.
probable cause with vacuum sealed bags? Hey Dan how would you like it if this state lice violated your fourth amendment rights? Do you like your rights? Youre the ignorant people out there saying please take my liberty so im safe from all the lies the gov. Has made up about a natrual plant.
He loves to violate we the people. You know cannabis built this country. Do some research and see how many lies are fed to you about this very helpful plant. John Kennedy smoked because of his back problems. Just google Harry J. Anslinger and read his quotes if you agree with him you are racist and highly delusional. There just pulling over California and medical states to violate people and STEAL cash and drugs. Did he stick it in his own locker before it went in the evidence locker? It’s so obvious he is lying about the stop. Would like to see the video with “AUDIO” and not just his word he saw it and “SMELLED” it. VACCUM SEALER AND VACCUM SEALER BAGS! you can’t smell that! No way you smelled that!
You are correct about them being pulled over for being from California. Funny that the officer said they told him they smoked that morning in California…and they weren’t in California that morning. Can you say corruption? Yes, it is illegal, but, don’t we have rights to drive through our country without being harassed for crossing state lines or being of a different race?
Yes we are supposed to have the right to travel from point A to B without being harassed. This trooper is violating rights and I know they are super corrupt. What goes around comes around. Sooner or later this trooper will get violated 100 fold along with his buddies for what they are doing and done. To many kangaroo courts and people old enough to have seen reefer madness when it came out in office. To many brainwashed people that are letting the constitution erode away.
I know a lot of people who say utah is a beautiful state but with all the corruption in UHP nobody wants to come back because of the harassment and possible taser for no good reason. So many people tell me their rights get violated and the tape gets lost of the pullover.
Well, Anonymous, the article IF YOU READ IT, says there was pot residue in the cab, and in the bed there was a duffle bag with fifteen pounds. And there was ALSO a vacuum sealer and bags. No indication that the sealer and bags had yet been used to repackage the 15 pounds for sale.
AND if you READ what I said, I said that whether you think pot should be illegal or not (and I don’t really think it should), it IS ILLEGAL, so if you want to avoid doing time in the slammer, and paying tons of bucks to get out of said slammer, you should at least be non-wasted enough to be sure your vehicle isn’t missing lights, registration, turn signals, whatever. Same would be true if you were hauling bazookas, dead bodies, or anything else that might possibly be considered illegal.
Do learn to READ the ARTICLE and the COMMENTS before making comments and you’ll sound much more intelligent.
This ends justifies the means needs to be stopped. You’re just a robber by legal definition. You’re stealing from people and you might be stealing their medicine. How would you like it if someone stole your medicine when you where sick or you where in pain Terry? Think about that. You reap what you sew. Catch serial killers, rapist, and criminals that actually commit a crime. Do real police work.
Dan, he doesn’t have probable cause to search a vehicle unless he “says” he smelled it. Getting pulled over for a small infraction doesn’t give him probable cause. Learn your rights Dan and you need to look at the picture here. Why would they come from California to get cannabis there? They have vaccum sealer bags and a vaccum sealer but there just gonna let 15 pounds hang in the wind? I’d like to see on video where they said “they smoked earlier” again how would you like it if cannabis decreased the amount of seizures your daughter had and and trooper like this takes it from you?
Dan, cannabis and hemp was a huge part of the backbone to start of this country and it even helped in WW 2. Back then they just called it with no distinction between the two. It used to be illegal in Jamestown not to grow it. it was demonized on racist reasons and kept illegal so Nixon could get rid of the hippies. It’s illegal now to steal money from the people and violate your rights. Do your research Dan you’ll find that I’m smarter than you on this subject. Cannabis is not a gateway drug. Caffeine comes first. Logically, making marijuana “a natural plant” illegal Is stupid. Cartels wouldn’t have the money they do now from it if was legal. You don’t see them selling alchol do you and for you people that are worried about your kids. They have a choice and they shouldn’t be subject to these types of charges for their choice. A fine at most of no more than 100 dollars would be sufficient. It’s a natural plant that has healing ability. This trooper should be put in jail for this robbery… (Legal definition)
Robbery-
The taking of money or goods in the possession of another, from his or her person or immediate presence, by force or intimidation.
Terry oath to the constitution that you are violating. All the violating and evil things you are doing will come back on you 10 fold from someone or something sooner or later. You reap what you sow Terry, remember that.
You’re an evil person Terry. Who ever backs you up is evil too. You know you’re violating people for your own ends. http://patients4medicalmarijuana.wordpress.com/medical-use-of-cannabis-video/the-government-holds-a-patent-for-medical-marijuana/
You don’t deserve any respect and you should be in jail Terry with all the people you put in there.
You sir… Are an idiot as well.. Maybe someone will smoke some of this plant you speak of and run you over with their car.. Maybe you’d feel differently then?
I’ve read your police reports and they don’t match up with the video. You are a liar Terry. You mess with people to get them to pullover. Running up behind them at a high rate of speed and letting the camera come on when they speed up because they are trying not to get rear ended so you can say they where speeding. You are a liar Terry.
Saw this in the paper
On June 15th 2013
You pulled over 2 guys with California plates for doing 80mph in a 75mph so says you, which is a joke. You would have to been doing over a 100mph to catch them. That’s ridiculous. The car they where in had 10 pounds of marijuana in a sealed mylar food storage bag in the trunk. You said you smelt it for your probable cause. You even said you cut the bag opened and got a whiff of marijuana. No shake, pipes, or any other things in the cabin. They where coming from n and out burger not even 5 mins. Before you pulled them over and had a receipt to prove it but you said they came from Barstow on your report. Did you see their hearts beating through their chest too? The troopers stories sound highly fictitious. This is ridiculous.
“Raw” is not the same as smoked! Even if they did smoke before hand he said raw so he could illegally search the vehicle and I am highly doubting the 15 pounds wasn’t sealed up. I’d like to see what he means by shake all over the floor boards because he is a liar. Shake is used to make edibles. That’s so true Terry. A lot of cancer patients and people with health problems like to eat them because it HELPS them. You’re an evil liar and a thief with a badge Terry. I don’t care if you LOOK like a great person you’re violating the oath you took to the constitution which means they should have suppression of evidence and be able to sue your department for millions. You should be fired and charged with robbery and go to jail for your crimes against the people you have wronged so the violating stops.
Hey there A. Nonny Mouse. Just keep on posting. You’re intelligence is a shining example of what happens to people who use dope to extreme excess. If you ever had any intelligence, you have smoked, snorted and/or shot it away. Have a nice life.
You know I’m right so you call me dumb and stupid. I have facts to back up what I say unlike feces and P.T. Dumbass. Which means you are idiots and are brainwashed. I have never shot up First off or snorted anything. Marijuana itself has never killed anybody by itself. Just like guns don’t kill people but people kill people. Does it say they where smoking in their car running over somebody? No it doesn’t. What I’m saying is the truth.
I don’t condone kids under 18 using it. I don’t condone driving while impaired. This plant is just that a natural plant. You all need to see it’s the person not marijuana that harms other people. Marijuana is less addictive than alcohol and/ or cigarettes. There isn’t one recorded death due to marijuana alone. To keep it illegal is ignorant. They keep it illegal to violate rights and steal from we the people. All terry is doing is psych test to see what they will do when he “says” he can smell it and he will do that to somebody who will have the cash to actually get out of jail, get representation and sue for violating their rights.
Hey Anonymous…..stop and take a breath. Put down the bong, one hitter or the zigzags for a couple of days and get some fresh air and sunshine. Take some deep breaths and exhale, calm down some.
No one is violating YOUR rights. If you wish to ingest weed, go right ahead and ingest all you want. But when you venture out in public under the influence and in possession thereof, don’t whine and moan about getting caught. It IS YOUR choice, you’re an adult, right? Deal with it!! If you are so against this state enforcing its drug laws….you should consider moving to California, Washington or Colorado where it is more in line with your way of thinking. No one is forcing you to continue living here. Just leave….actually you would be doing us all a favor if you left.
There are no DUI charges, these kids weren’t UNDER the influence. And in California, just about everyone has a medical marijuana card. Notice there are 2 charges and neither are for driving under the influence.
You’re nothing but thieves and thugs with a badge. There is no honor in what you all do. You all are scum, garbage and liars. This is a robbery. He violated their rights the same as a bank robber robbing a bank. That’s what you are Chris. A real piece of shit. Did you point a red laser at people at night while following them for nothing trying to blind them so they swerve so you can pull them over and make up lies and/or possibly kill them? Are you a complete psychopath? Burn in hell Terry.
*i don’t condone kids under 18 using it unless they have health problems.Nobody has to smoke they can put in edibles. It’s healthier for them. It’s actually helping people with seizures, cancer, and pretty much any other health problem you can think of. So boo to feces and P.T. Dummy. Have a nice life.
Is that P.T. Farnsworth as in Philo Farnsworth the inventor of the first electronic t.v. Because he died of pneumonia so it couldnt be or is it patrol trooper dumb…? Have a nice life Mr. Dumb…
Ed. ellipsis
Nice one double tap. You’re about as original as P.T. Dumbshista up there. Yes I’ve had my rights violated and when you say enforce the drug laws are you saying it’s ok to violate rights? This trooper is doing that. This country is turned into what Germany would be if they would have won the war in ww2 and it’s people like you that are allowing it to happen. John Hancock would jail your evil UHP for causing or almost causing wrecks and violating “we the people” falsifying DUI’s, retiring troopers going out and robbing motorists, and everything else you evil SS Troopers do.
If people where not brainwashed they would see without a doubt that the war on drugs is nothing more than a campaign to erode our liberty in this country.
To prove my point farther Utah has the Nazi.S.A. Center. Have fun when you get your rights get violated and you’re stuck in a cell and your bond is over $5000. Have fun paying your lawyer too. I hope everyone who reads this and disagrees with me gets sick or someone close to you gets sick and the only thing that helps is marijuana. When you try to get it you get arrested and put in jail. See how you like that F…heads.
Doubletap, I’m not whining. I’m winning. My facts beat yours because you have none. Check mate.
UHP is without a doubt PROFILING license plates with medicinal laws in place. They will do all types of things to pull you over such as act like they are going to ram you from behind without their emergency lights on while going 100+mph so you look like you’re speeding when the camera comes on. It amazes me how there is no logic for you SS troopers to go over 100+mph without your emergency lights on to act like the person who hasn’t broke any laws as if they did. You shouldn’t be able to speed like that unless the car you’re pursuing is 20+mph over or has robbed a bank or etc. He has to actually smell it for probable cause. When he lies about the smell he violates
“we the people” because he is violating the oath he took when became a trooper. He is lying. There probably wasn’t any shake on the floor or not enough to a nix tes or to be smelling. You’re evil Terry along with all your SS buddies.
I hope these 2 guys get out and get great representation and they sue the evil UHP. Terry you deserve to be in jail for all the lives you are ruining.
http://edmundelsesser.wordpress.com/tag/john-f-kennedy/
Double tap, p.t. Dumb… and … this is for you and all you other ignorant people or there. You’re violating the constitution Terry.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. You lied about the smell and people know.
Anonymous. You have had your say; and that’s enough now.
ST. GEORGE NEWS | STGnews.com
Joyce Kuzmanic
Editor in Chief
Thank you Joyce.
Hey double tap why did you erase your post about anonymous “whining”? Looks like he was right about you all PROFILING and ILLEGALLY searching vehicles. When No means Yes in Salt Lake City (Tooele County)
http://margekatherine.com/2011/05/14/when-no-means-yes-in-salt-lake-city-toole-county/
Terry is from toole.
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/mobile3/57029643-219/lawrence-alton-uhp-utah.html.csp
After 2 lawsuits, Colorado motorist gets report on Utah trooper.
It’s a shame that there is a lot of people will take plea deals that make the trooper look great when the evidence should be suppressed because they are afraid the judge will violate their rights just like the trooper did or think they won’t win. If they lose they get a felony and jail time but if they win the state gets sued not the trooper. The trooper will probably get PAID ADMIN LEAVE for a punishment. That’s like giving kids more things when they are bad. We should start making sure that troopers aren’t breaking the laws when they’re supposed to enforce them LEGALLY. My opinion is that marijuana prohibition is a scam because law enforcement makes so much money off the arrest along with federal funds. This can give an incentive to violate rights and arrest the innocent.- see LISA STEED!!!! I can’t believe the government would make a war on a natural plant. That’s ignorant! In genesis it even states in chapter 1-12 And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
You should be ashamed for cutting him off like that after he said his rights where violated. You should look into Chris Terry aka doubletap and see if his videos match his police reports. I know a lot of people from out of town who describe UHP troopers speeding and tailgating out of state license plates without their emergency lights on. We’ve had so many troopers who have violated rights and been corrupt. Most people from out of town said they’ll never come back because of the treatment from the UHP. That hurts our tourism. Apparently they really do say they smell it and when they can’t come up with anything because it wasn’t there in the first place they just let them off with a warning when the highway patrol pulled them over for nothing. That is violating rights and so is saying they can smell it when they can’t.
I agree. Lisa Steed didn’t learn that by herself. She was taught that by her superiors. With retired trooper Topham getting less than a year in jail for robbing motorist I think this Chris Terry should be investigated for rights violations.
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/52577019-78/topham-jail-sentenced-officer.html.csp
That above article shows how corrupt utah is with there kangaroo courts. The L.E. Is supposed to be held to a higher standard. I’m with you all and anonymous on this one. It’s sounds like he needed a warrant to search the vehicle. Sounds like rights violations to me.
This trooper is a waste of our tax dollars. He should be fired right away. Why is marijuana schedule 1 along with heroin when cocaine is schedule 2? Why is our own government flying in drugs into our country? http://www.davidicke.com/headlines/65832-cia-plane-crash-lands-with-four-tons-of-coke/
This will all be brought up in the courtroom and in the national news media, certainly not in this st George online newspaper where the editor in chief tries to take a citizens right to have his voice heard.