Whole family charged in pot case

By MICHAEL A. MOHAMMED, Times Staff Writer
Published August 31, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT Beverly Smoak, 53, faces a child neglect charge, plus charges of manufacturing and possession of cannabis. Mark Shein, 63, faces charges of manufacture and possession of cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia.

A Davis Islands mother, her boyfriend and her two sons face drug charges after a search of their home turned up marijuana plants in one boy's bedroom, police said Wednesday.

Tampa police executed a search warrant at 53-year-old Beverly Smoak's home after receiving an e-mailed tip, said Tampa Police Department spokeswoman Janelle McGregor.

Officers arrested Smoak and an 18-year-old son after they discovered five small marijuana plants in the bedroom of Smoak's 15-year-old son, McGregor said.

When officers arrested the 15-year-old at Plant High School, where he is a student, they found more marijuana in his pocket, McGregor said.

Smoak and the 18-year-old told police they knew the younger son was growing pot, McGregor said, and the 15-year-old told police he and his mother smoked pot together at their 602 Oconee Ave. home.

Police also arrested Smoak's live-in boyfriend, 63-year-old Mark Shein.

All four face charges of manufacture and possession of cannabis. Smoak also faces a child neglect charge, while Shein and the sons each face an additional charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Smoak was released Wednesday evening on $10,000 bail, while Shein and the 18-year-old son were released on $3,000 bail each. No information was available on the status of the 15-year-old.

Michael A. Mohammed can be reached at mmohammed@sptimes.com or 813 226-3404.

[Last modified August 31, 2007, 00:33:17]