Two arrested at marijuana 'smoke-in'

By Keith Gushard

04/21/08 April 20, 2008 10:03 pm

— A marijuana smoke-in at Meadville’s Diamond Park has two teen-agers facing drug-related charges.
Numerous fliers posted all around Meadville had promoted the event for 4:20 p.m. on Sunday and drew about 40 onlookers.
“It’s 4/20 man,” responded a man who identified himself to a reporter as Barry Freed when asked why the event was being held.
“Share the weed (marijuana),” he said. “We’re gathering us potheads together for a freer society.”
However, when Freed lit a suspected marijuana cigarette, plain clothes officers from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and Meadville move in and took him into custody.
But Freed’s real name is Eric Elliott, 19, of Meadville, according to police.
Elliott was arrested on a public drunkenness charge, which includes being under the influence of drugs, for six hours, said Patrolman Greg Beveridge of Meadville Police said. Elliott was to be held for six hours Sunday night so he was no longer under the influence and was to be released, Beveridge said.
Multiple drug-related charges are expected to be filed against Elliott today, Beveridge said.
A 14-year-old Meadville boy also was taken into custody for alleged possession of drug paraphernalia, Beveridge said. The boy was released to the custody of his parents and a charge will be filed through Crawford County Juvenile Court, Beveridge said.
Steven Corner of Erie was one of the crowd curious onlookers.
He said he came down to Sunday’s event in Meadville just to see what might take place.
“I didn’t think anything would happen,” Corner said. “They asked me if I wanted some food with some weed (marijuana) in it. I said no.”