NORWICH – A Norwich man found with approximately 800 marijuana plants and multiple bags of processed marijuana was sentenced to weekends in jail and three years probation.
It was alleged on June 26, 2014 at approximately 8:56 p.m. on County Road 32 in the Town of Norwich, 33-year-old Brett J. Lorimer of Norwich was found to be in possession of multiple bags of processed marijuana weighing more than a pound.
On April 17, 2015, Lorimer appeared in court with his wife 29-year-old Lacey J. Lorimer of Norwich to plead guilty and be sentenced.
He pleaded guilty to the class D felony of criminal possession of marijuana.
Brett Lorimer said he was arrested after the New York State Police found approximately 800 plants less than a foot tall behind a trailer he owned in Norwich, where the processed marijuana was later found. According to Brett Lorimer, the trailer was his property but not his residence.
He said the NYSP were looking for stolen copper when they discovered the plants.
Brett Lorimer said his wife was arrested later after marijuana byproduct or “trash from the finished product” was found in a garage near the couple's residence.
District Attorney Joseph A. McBride asked Brett Lorimer what the byproduct was.
Brett Lorimer said the byproduct consisted of leaves.
“It had no value,” he added.
Brett Lorimer also said his wife had nothing to do with his marijuana operation.
“Because of what he did, his wife got arrested,” said McBride. “I do not believe I can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that she was involved.”
McBride requested Lacey Lorimer's case be dismissed “in its entirety” and that her bail be exonerated.
“No matter what your personal opinion is or what goes on in any other state, it is still very illegal in the State of New York,” said McBride. “I take marijuana growing very seriously. We have had some issues in the past with people robbing marijuana dealers and killing them.”
“You put your wife's future at risk. Make sure you don't get in trouble again,” he added.
“I am sorry for putting my family at risk,” said Brett Lorimer.
Judge Frank B. Revoir, Jr. said the public “in general” is looking to lock people up that sell drugs and “hoot and holler” that they should go to prison.
He also said “that same public” criticizes when harsher sentences are given to people who possess or sell marijuana and that they say it should be legal.
“We can't ignore that it is illegal, but the tide is changing,” said Revoir. “Five years ago someone would have gone to prison for a similar charge.”
Brett Lorimer was sentenced to 12 weekends of incarceration at the Chenango County Correctional Facility and three years of probation, less time served.
Brett Lorimer had requested to have his legal privilege to possess a gun reviewed in order to be able to hunt and supplement his family's meat income.
Revoir said he would review the request after Brett Lorimer completed one year of probation.
“You have a lack of a criminal record, no violence in your history and nothing indicates you are a violent offender,” he said.
Lacey Lorimer's case was dismissed.