Marijuana Allegedly Dealt Near School

Two Union Beach teens are facing charges of marijuana possession and intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school zone in Middletown.

The two were also charged with possession of psilocybin mushrooms and drug paraphernalia, according to records.

Ryan Jones, 19, of Herbert Street, and Christopher Greiss, 18, of 616 Park Avenue, were arrested on April 19 after they were allegedly found “actively or constructively” in possession of “one ounce or more but less than five pounds” of marijuana, the psilocybin mushrooms and a digital scale for weighing the marijuana within 1,000 feet of “school property owned or leased by the Middletown Township Board of Education,” according to the complaint warrant against Greiss signed by Middletown Patrolman Keith Hirschbein.

The “actively or constructively” specification of the charge, according to police, means that regardless of which of the two was found in “active” possession of the marijuana, mushrooms and scale, both were considered to be allegedly in possession when the arrest was made because they were found together within the same space and with no proof of who it belongs to, both absorb the blame — constructive possession.

Hirschbein and Patrolman Brian McGrogan, of the Middletown Township Police Department’s Quality of Life Unit, made the arrests, Middletown Police Detective Lt. Steve Dollinger said.

The marijuana distribution and psilocybin mushroom possession charges represent third-degree crimes. The marijuana possession charges are fourth-degree. And the paraphernalia charge is a disorderly persons offense.

Greiss was held on $25,000 bail with no 10 percent option, set by Judge Richard Thompson.

Jones was released after posting $25,000 bail with no 10 percent option, also set by Judge Thompson, Dollinger said.