Local Man Found with Marijuana, Scale

A local man wanted on larceny charges out of Beverly was found to be in possession of several marijuana packages and a weighted scale while being arrested by local officers Tuesday afternoon.

Michael McSwiggin, 26, of 19 Creesy St., Marblehead, pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Lynn District Court to charges of committing a drug violation near a public park and possessing a class D substance (marijuana) with intent to distribute.

According to a police report filed by officer Adam Mastrangelo, at 1:43 p.m., he noticed that McSwiggin, whom he knew was wanted on several outstanding warrants, was sitting in a car that was illegally-parked outside of on Pleasant Street.

When Mastrangelo approached the vehicle, which was being driven by McSwiggin's father, he noted that he immediately smelled burnt and unburnt marijuana and placed McSwiggin under arrest for outstanding warrants in Salem (disorderly conduct) and Beverly (larceny over $250), according to court documents.

When officers asked McSwiggin's father why the vehicle smelled like marijuana, he reportedly told them that Michael had just "smoked a joint" and then refused to allow officers to search the vehicle.

While under arrest, McSwiggin reportedly asked his father to retrieve his wallet from his jacket pocket and give it to the arresting officers - but while attempting to do so, his father accidentally handed them a scale with marijuana residue on it, according to court documents.

Once officers were handed the scale, they had the right to search the vehicle for additional paraphernalia and subsequently found a marijuana grinder, two pipes and three baggies containing an undisclosed amount of marijuana.

McSwiggin faced the additional charge of committing a drug violation near a public park for being arrested across from .

Judge Ellen Flately released McSwiggin on his own recognizance and ordered that he return to court on April 20, for a pretrial hearing.