Texas Teen Could Face Life In Prison for Alleged Hash Oil Possession
Nineteen-year-old Jacob Lavoro was arrested last month after police officers reportedly found 1.5 pounds of brownies, a pound of marijuana, digital scales, $1,675 in cash, and dozens of baggies with marijuana and hash oil at his apartment. Authorities in the case are saying he could face from five years to life in prison, if he is found guilty.
The Round Rock, Texas teenager is currently out of of jail on a $30,000 surety bond, but his father was discouraged by the news.
"It's outrageous, it's crazy! I don't understand it," the father told Austin TV station KEYE.
"Five years to life?" he continued. "I'm sorry, I'm a law-abiding citizen. I'm a conservative. I love my country. I'm a Vietnam veteran, but ... this is wrong!"
Travis McDonald, the prosecutor in the case, claims that first-time offenders are treated differently, so the fierce penalty might not stick. McDonald told the AP, "As far as I know, he is a first offender."
The reason for the intensity of Lavoro's charges is reportedly his possession of hash oil, where anything above 4 grams of the substance could warrant a first-degree felony charge. According to the affidavit, Lavoro was in possession of 145 grams of hash oil.
Hash oil is a controlled substance that carries much harsher state penalties than marijuana. The oil has higher concentrations of THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana. It's in a penalty group with amphetamines and ecstasy.
Lavoro's lawyer is currently requesting that the charge to be reduced to a misdemeanor.