Southpinellas: Man who lost home in raid arrested on drug charges

ST. PETERSBURG -- A man whose house was set on fire during a police drug raid in June was arrested Tuesday night and charged with marijuana possession and cultivation.

St. Petersburg police say they found Craig Johnson, 31, smoking marijuana at his home on 10011/2 12th St. N. Police also seized 15 marijuana plants and cultivation paraphernalia from the house, police spokesman George Kajtsa said Wednesday.

Johnson was suspected of dealing narcotics in June, when police obtained a search warrant for his residence 1341 19th St. S. A fire began at that house when a "flash bang" distraction device used in the raid ignited acoustical tiles in a makeshift recording studio.

Johnson's home was destroyed as well as $100,000 worth of recording equipment used by his rap group, Lion Face.

Johnson is being held at the Pinellas County Jail in lieu of $15,000 bail.

Temple Beth El to hold Yom Kippur forum

ST. PETERSBURG -- Temple Beth El, 400 Pasadena Ave. S, will feature interfaith speaker Askia Muhammad Aquil at its Yom Kippur forum at 1 p.m. today. Also speaking will be Bun Hap Prak, executive director of St. Petersburg's Asian Family and Community Center. The public is invited.

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