Both Howard Arenstein and Orly Katz, his spouse, have been imprisoned. The arrests were as a result of production and intent to distribute marijuana. Both of these individuals work for news organizations. Katz is the Washington correspondent for an Israeli newspaper. Arenstein, on the other hand, is the Columbia Broadcasting System Radio chief in D.C. The couple was arrested in their home, where mature marijuana plants and prepared marijuana were both discovered by law enforcement.
Violations towards Howard Arenstein
A search warrant was executed on the home of Orly Katz and Arenstein, based on a tip from neighbors. Prosecutors have charged Howard Arenstein and Katz with possession of cannabis and intent to distribute the marijuana found in their home. After they were charged, the couple was released from jail without having to post any bail. D.C. law allows them to wait for their trial while outside of lockup. Katz and Arenstein could possibly be fined for the marijuana in their home. They could also face a few years in jail for the weed found in their home.
Howard Arenstein’s house had packaged weed
After neighbors complained about marijuana within the back yard, vice police officers raided Arenstein’s home. 11 mature, eight foot tall marijuana plants were discovered in the back yard. Six two-ounce bags of marijuana were also discovered in the house. The belief that the marijuana was packaged in relatively large packages is what brought up the “intent to distribute” charge.
Columbia Broadcasting System News investigation into Howard Arenstein
Despite numerous requests, CBS News Radio has made no official statement about the arrest of their Washington D.C. bureau chief. Reports from the New York Post say that an internal investigation into the matter is being launched, nevertheless. Simply being charged with the crimes may not be enough for Arenstein or Katz to lose their jobs. The couple cannot claim medical weed defense, as D.C. does not have a provision for legal weed use.
Details from
New York Post
nypost.com/p/news/national/news_chief_in_pot_bust_lbSxPNSQJJALmj9gvLJNSO
Hollywood Reporter
hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i6bc2dd0e5ce14ff2beb7b1e5dcba3034
