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Whole family charged in pot case
By MICHAEL A. MOHAMMED, Times Staff Writer
Published August 31, 2007
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Beverly Smoak, 53, faces a child neglect charge, plus charges of manufacturing and possession of cannabis.
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Mark Shein, 63, faces charges of manufacture and possession of cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia.
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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]
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Comments on this article
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by AMAZING
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01/24/08 05:58 PM
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I forgot to add, Mark Shein used to be my stepfather. Truly, this article has made me freakishly elated...Thank you.
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by Eli
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09/01/07 02:20 PM
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This is hilarious. Don't think this is the only family that "manufactures" marijuana in Tampa. Seriously, though. Overkill indeed.
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by Karen
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09/01/07 01:29 PM
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What a waste of police time, the stuff should be leagal.
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by Mark
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09/01/07 08:49 AM
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SPT give us more info on the e-mail justification resulting in a search warrant. We called it dummie stick in the 70's and it takes away all the motivation and ambition. Any fines collected should be used for the rehab for the 15 yr. old.
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by pj
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09/01/07 08:43 AM
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If they make it legal and tax is like everything else in our life the country would have more money than they know what to do with. Think of all the schools, lower property taxes, lower insurance rates. Everyone is smoking it.
Take the blinders off.
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by Anthony
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08/31/07 10:48 PM
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Yes lets make fun of the police and there tatics. HEVEN FORBID someone that actully may know something about a serious crime reads this. This very ridacule could detire that very person that could have information that could offer asistance.
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by denny
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08/31/07 10:17 PM
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This is like some nazi action from the 30's. I don't even smoke the stuff but what an overkill.
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by Jen
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08/31/07 09:40 PM
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Can't you people find anything more productive to do than to smoke pot? Why defend them? They knew the law. Ridiculous.
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by Tommi
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08/31/07 08:09 PM
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Manufacture?? The stuff grows. These people are really a threat to society. They probably get high, then get in fights and drive fast. Gotta fill those empty privatized prison cells.
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by Unnerved
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08/31/07 07:21 PM
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Give me a break! What if the "nosy neighbor" who made the tip was to think about what is going on around the world. Does marijuana affect them personally? Doubtfully. Why don't the "neighbors" mind to their own business because surly all isn't roses.
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by Susan
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08/31/07 06:31 PM
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I have emailed the FDLE, FBI, Sheriffs officer and States Attorney to say that Mark Ober murdered Harry Lee Coe 11 days before his reelection. Pam Bondi used taxpayer money to cross state lines and threaten witnesses. What have they done with that?
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by Simpleton
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08/31/07 03:43 PM
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...and the heat is on...! See, a larger budget is not need for the war on drugs.
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by voxy
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08/31/07 03:37 PM
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I agree with Fred. Mom, don't worry about it. SUE THEM for SELECTIVE BUSTING. Your neighbors probably want your house. They're not really neighbors. Had any offers to buy it? I know that's what they threatened ME with. Planting dope. They ratted you
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by Bughead
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08/31/07 03:04 PM
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Comforting to know that apparently all the police need to get a search warrant for your home is an e-mail from someone who doesn't like you.
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by Rickster
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08/31/07 01:02 PM
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While I believe in people's rights to be free, I have to question this couple. If you believe it is OK to smoke pot, fine, but don't do it in front of your kids.
I would say the same about alcohol and cigarettes, too. Freedom comes with resonsibility
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by Pat
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08/31/07 12:39 PM
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Those look to be hardened criminals. I bet when they run out of pot, they rob liquor stores and burglarize residences to feed their dope habit. Not to mention the toxic "pot lab" in the garage. Way to prioritize, members of law enforcement!
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by Josh
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08/31/07 12:37 PM
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The drug war will never be won. Just legalize it, sanction it, and focus on real crimes. You don't have such issues pertaining to drugs in Amsterdam.
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by Derek
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08/31/07 12:28 PM
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oooh, let me tell ya, smoking Pot is dangerous. I'm glad we got these violent criminals off the street. I feel much safer knowing that a Drug that makes you peaceful has been taken off the street!
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by Tom
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08/31/07 12:20 PM
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Great job guys. The streets are safe now.
If mom had let the 15 year old drink beer, I wonder if the police would have still busted in the house and arrested her.
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by Jon
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08/31/07 12:05 PM
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What a waste of resources for the TPD. These people weren't bothering anyone.
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by ms
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08/31/07 11:54 AM
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The family that hits the bong together stays together. At least they all have something in common. Smoke on!!!!
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by Dan
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08/31/07 11:35 AM
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The name is smoak, So what's the problem?
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by CP
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08/31/07 11:33 AM
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What is this world coming to? You can't even grow a little weed and smoke it with your mom. It's ok in California if you have a prescription. Pot should be decriminalized and the police should be going after real criminals.
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by Dean
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08/31/07 11:05 AM
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Her name is SMOAK! Another of life's little jokes.
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by tim
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08/31/07 11:00 AM
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Viagra for impotence, Prozac for depression and now Mirapex to cure you from wanting to get up and walk around. Pot cures 'em all. Apparently "illegal narcotics" are now any drug NOT promoted on TV by Pfizer, Schering-Plow or Smith-Kline Beecham.
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by DFDGFHGFH
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08/31/07 10:52 AM
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Thank you Fred. Perfect example.
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by Dave
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08/31/07 10:52 AM
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Smoke em' if you got em'!
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by jackie o
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08/31/07 10:46 AM
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A waste of tax dollars that only serves to enrich bail bondsmen. Police would be better served stopping red light runners. Bust does nothing to improve public safety,only boosts statistics.No sales were charged.No rapists or muggers left in Tampa?
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by kitty
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08/31/07 10:42 AM
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Rod, I learned nothing from all of this. However, I've known all along that criminalizing a natural substance and persecuting users is a ridiculous waste of our tax dollars.
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by md
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08/31/07 10:28 AM
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must be a dreaded drum circle family
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by Charles
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08/31/07 10:18 AM
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Its not like he killed a dog or anything. Its a natural medicine that's all.
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by Joe
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08/31/07 10:17 AM
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Why are people upset with the police? They did their job. These people and you posters need to realize do the crime, do the time.
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by steve
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08/31/07 10:16 AM
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seems like a personal matter to me. It ought to be legal to grow your own, just no selling.
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by jim
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08/31/07 10:10 AM
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this story is not as well written as the former largo city manager susan smith. how about an update?
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by Irene
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08/31/07 10:02 AM
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Our tax dollars at work. wow what a big bust!!
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