| Inmate name: | Anil Walia |
| Charge description: | On December 11, 2013, it took a jury less than an hour to convict Anil Walia for Possession of Marijuana. The 23-year-old Stafford man was arrested in May 2011 during a traffic stop in Sugar Land when he admitted the marijuana was his. According to Assistant District Attorney Susan Sweeney, Walia was driving a car with three other passengers when the Sugar Land Police Department stopped him for running a stop sign. Officers quickly detected the odor of marijuana and began to search the car finding marijuana and other paraphernalia, including a smoking pipe that was still warm. Walia claimed responsibility for the drugs but later claimed he didnt know it was in the car. At trial, Walias attorney argued that he did not possess the drug because when the car was searched, the marijuana and paraphernalia were found closer to the front passenger. The crime occurs with knowing possession, not ownership, said Sweeney, and possession is not exclusive. Often, several people will possess the same narcotics together. Walia was tried in County Court at Law No. 1 before Presiding Judge Ben W. Bud Childers. Possession of Marijuana in this case is a Class B Misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days in the county jail and/or a fine up to $2,000. Walia was sentenced to a one-year probation during which he must pay a $400 fine, perform 48 hours of community service and attend a drug education program. Assistant District Attorneys Susan W. Sweeney and Omar Khawaja prosecuted the case. Attorney Joyce Phoenix represented the defendant. |
| Booking location: | Fort Bend County, TX |
