Boardman man, 22, faces drug charges

Staff report

BOARDMAN

A 22-year-old township man is set for arraignment today, facing charges of marijuana possession and trafficking after law enforcement found more than four pounds of marijuana-laced baked goods in his car during a traffic crash investigation.

Patrick Altier was charged with the third-degree felonies and operating a vehicle under the influence Thursday night. Troopers said Altier was one of the drivers involved in a two-car accident on Western Reserve Road, east of Market Street, and that troops smelled marijuana, giving them probable cause to search that vehicle.

Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers found 4 1/2pounds of individually wrapped crisped-rice-cereal-type treats with a strong odor of marijuana, according to a news release.

Further investigation revealed that the treats were laced with a liquid form of marijuana.

Altier was taken to Mahoning County jail and, if convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison and up to a $20,000 fine.