WESTFIELD- During a routine traffic stop Monday, police found more than three pounds of marijuana and nearly $3,000 in cash.
Kyle D. Morin, 22, of 189 Montgomery St. #1st fl, Chicopee, was initially stopped for speeding, but was then charged with possessing a Class B drug (amphetamine) and possession (with intent) to distribute a Class D drug (marijuana).
On Monday around 6:33 p.m., Officer Timothy Fanion saw a small gray sedan traveling westbound in the area of Franklin Street, which has a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour, according to court records.
Fanion clocked the Honda Civic’s speed on radar at 56 miles per hour.
Morin told Fanion “he knew he was speeding but that he was trying to make it to class at Westfield State University,” according to court records.
Morin’s attorney, Donald Stolgitis, said Morin is a student at WSU but Westfield State’s Public Affairs spokeswoman Molly Watson said, “Kyle is not currently enrolled at Westfield State.”
Watson added that Morin was a student only during Spring 2015 semester.
Westfield Police Capt. Michael McCabe said that after stopping the vehicle, police saw a plastic bag filled with pink pills in plain view on the passenger seat.
The pills were identified as Class B drugs, which require a prescription, which Morin did not have, McCabe said.
According to court records, the pills were identified using drugs.com as amphetamine and dextroamphetamine 20mg.
While inventorying the vehicle before it was towed, police found several large bags of marijuana in the front passenger seat and trunk area.
Fanion said the marijuana weighed 52.33 ounces and cash, totaling $2,933, was found in a bag on the passenger seat.
Morin was released in lieu of $100 cash bail following his arrest, but failed to appear for his arraignment on Tuesday.
At his arraignment on Wednesday, the Commonwealth asked that Morin’s bail be forfeited and he be held without the right to bail for missing his Tuesday arraignment.
“The defendant’s car was seized and he had no ability to get to court on Tuesday,” Stolgitis said, “and he retained me as counsel yesterday.”
Contant revoked the order forfeiting his bail, so Morin will stay released in lieu of $100 cash bail.
Outside the courtroom, Stolgitis said he knew Morin from a prior case, but he would not elaborate on what charges Morin had previously faced.
Morin is due back in court on December 10 for a pretrial hearing.
Staff Writer Christine Charnosky can be reached at [email protected]
