OFF-DUTY OFFICER TRACKS DOWN SHOPPER WHO ALLEGEDLY HAD POT

Anthony J. Malespin, 20, of 10414 5th Armored Division Drive, Fort
Drum, was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana at 8 p.m.
Tuesday, according to Jefferson County sheriff's deputies.

Police said suspicions were aroused when an off-duty officer shopping
at the Wal-Mart on Arsenal Street noticed that a fellow shopper, Mr.
Malespin, had red eyes and smelled of marijuana smoke. The off-duty
officer made his purchase and then followed Mr. Malespin and another
man to the food court at the Salmon Run Mall, where he called for
backup, police said.

Officers said that when Mr. Malespin left the mall, the off-duty
officer confronted him and, following a search, found rolling papers.
The off-duty officer then received permission to look through Mr.
Malespin's car and found a burnt marijuana cigarette, police said.

Mr. Malespin is due in town of Watertown Court on Thursday.