ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A Florida man is accused of passing out marijuana to random people in downtown St. Petersburg "because it’s Christmas."
- Cops: Man handed out pot to random people in downtown St. Pete
- Affidavit: He told police he did it "because it's Christmas"
- Charged with marijuana possession with intent to distribute
The incident happened Saturday night at 16 2nd Street North, according to St. Petersburg Police.
Richard Spurrier, 67, was reportedly handing out bags of marijuana to random people on the streets.
One woman said she saw police approach Spurrier while he was passing out the marijuana.
“Yeah he was like, ‘Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas,’ and ... the cop came right up behind him and was like, ‘What are you doing?' ” Shannon Robinson said.
“When he took the marijuana after they arrested him, in his bag he had scales and like, another big bag of marijuana as well,” she said.
Spurrier is charged with marijuana possession with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to an arrest affidavit, Spurrier’s explanation for handing out bags of weed was “because it’s Christmas.”
He was released on his own recognizance shortly after his arrest.
Richard Ellis Spurrier, 67, was arrested Saturday and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell or distribute. (Pinellas County Jail)