Trustee candidate says he was 'falsely accused' of marijuana possession
Editor's note: Christopher Russell was found not guilty of all charges in a bench trial in October 2015.
A Fox River Grove village board candidate charged with two marijuana-related offenses said Wednesday he was “falsely accused.”
Christopher A. Russell, 20, was charged Feb. 7 with possession of marijuana between 2.5 grams to 10 grams, and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to court records.
Fox River Grove police said officers on foot patrol came across an unoccupied vehicle near Picnic Grove Park and saw a multicolored glass smoking pipe through the window. Three men — including Russell — later were found in the park and charged, per the report.
“Alleged drug usage by officials or potential officials is a very serious thing regarding impact on cognitive abilities and therefore decision-making ability,” Russell wrote in an email. “If elected, I will submit to any form of drug testing at the will of any citizen at any time.”
Ostap Hnatyuk, 20, of Fox River Grove, and Jonathan Sterling, 21, of Cary, also were charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana between 2.5 grams to 10 grams, court records show.
Russell is due back in court April 21.