I know this is nearly a year old but I was just released from a jail about two weeks ago. Out of simple boredom I was doing Google searches on my crime and found this. It's honestly pretty shocking and strange to see random people on the internet talk about you so I couldn't resist making an account and replying.
First I'd like to say the overall supportive tone is really appreciated. I wish I would have know you people were on here when I was initially charged and needed the support. I had to deal with a lot of ignorance and ridicule with the news throwing words like 'lab' and 'cook' out there. This whole ordeal greatly affected my entire family-if not community. Although I share the beliefs of personal responsibility and decriminalization, I do intensely regret ever doing this and putting my mom in that situation.
I'd also like to explain why I was so stupid. The day the cops had shown up to my house was only a few weeks after my 18th birthday. I was a stupid, ignorant kid who didn't realize or even understand the legal implications of what I was doing. Of course I knew it was illegal but you don't really know how bad it is to be arrested in front of your crying parents until you do. I had not had any police contact prior to this day, besides maybe getting pulled over. It's safe to say I wasn't cautious. In my thinking the only way I was ever going to get caught is if the cops showed up with a warrant; which I thought was highly unlikely. It wasn't a very large extract. The main driving force for me even doing it is my unending interest in the brain, consciousness, and perception. It's obvious I wasn't extracting it with caution but I was certainly was using it with caution. I was in no way abusing any of these substances. The reason I had so many is because I had purchased in bulk so I would have the necessary means for a psychedelic adventure when the perfect time arose. I kept these in my momโs basement because as a newly turned 18 year old I couldn't think of anyplace safer.
I could honestly type forever on this subject but to keep it (relatively) short from this point on I'll just point out the inconsistencies between the police report and reality.
terrible_gibberish wrote: A call to police complaining of a strong odor of marijuana coming from a residence
This was one or two bowls hours before the cops came. My mom even admitted she did not smell weed when the she got home minutes before the police arrived.
terrible_gibberish wrote: When she gave the officer permission to enter the residence and search the basement
Although I don't in any way blame my mother, I did try to advise her of her rights and to tell them to leave and come back with a warrant. My mom doesn't really think well in high stress and/or police situations, and in her defense, she had no idea what was going on in the basement.
terrible_gibberish wrote: her son became agitated and shouted profanities at officers while attempting to block them from entering the basement, the complaint says. He was handcuffed before the search.
This is true but it was pretty hard to think rationally in the moment. I did resist somewhat but stopped when one of the police officers grabbed my neck, choking me, and threw me into the wall. It's funny how they omit that part.
terrible_gibberish wrote: Upon entering the basement, police found the drugmaking equipment, a form of LSD known as blotter acid, marijuana and marijuana-smoking paraphernalia, a glass container with a thick brown liquid and a Sunnyside Naphtha container
Each one of these things was in a different and out of sight location. I may have been dumb but I didn't have these splayed out in the open like they make it seem.
terrible_gibberish wrote: Foeger also met two women in the basement. One of the women had "a black and white powdery substance on her right nostril," the complaint says.
No one in the house was under the influence of any substance (besides maybe the weed smoked hours before). It is true that it was methylone, but no one had done anything. Contrary to what people believe, when the cops showed up the "women" and I were just kicking it. Watching TV, talking, nothing illegal. Pretty boring actually.
terrible_gibberish wrote:Joshua Oliver faces six charges as a result of the investigation, the criminal complaint says.
Both felonies were dropped but I was charged with the maximum sentences for the four misdemeanors on account of my nonexistent criminal history and youth. I sat 5 months in county for the THC possession (one blunt roach) and the other 16 months were stayed and now held over my head.
I hope this clears some things up. If I could go back in time I would have obviously done things different but that's not possible so the next best thing is to learn from it and get stronger; Something I feel I have done.
I'm definitely open to questions. (Absolute sobriety can lead you to looking for anything to occupy your time. I wouldn't have written a page long response to a year old thread otherwise.)