Court: Man found with more than $29,000 worth of marijuana

Authorities were searching a residence at 818 Sheridan Ave. early Wednesday when they found $29,836 worth of marijuana, $930 worth of cocaine, drug paraphernalia and a stolen gun, according to testimony today in Columbus Recorder’s Court.

Keith Esmond McCray, who lived in the Columbus residence, was arrested 8:45 a.m. that morning on multiple drug-related charges and more.

Columbus police said they searched the defendant’s home after he conducted a sell with a confidential informant. Once inside, they located 1,498 grams of marijuana (street value of $29,836), 9.3 grams of both powdered and crack cocaine (street value of $930), “baggies,” scales, packing materials, vacuum sealers and a loaded .223 rifle that was reported stolen.

Police Sgt. Anthony Berinobis noted that McCray was convicted of a felon in August 2009, making it illegal for him to have a firearm.

McCray, 27, told Judge Michael Cielinski he was only living in the home “until he got back on his feet,” and the illegal property that was found there belonged to another man who resided in the home.

“They said that an informant said they witnessed me selling narcotics, but I didn’t sell anybody anything,” the defendant testified. “I didn’t have any money or anything on me. I didn’t have anything.”

McCray pleaded not guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, theft by receiving stolen property, possession of marijuana with intent, possession of cocaine with intent, possession of drug-related objects and sell of marijuana. He was ordered held in the Muscogee County Jail under bonds totaling $161,000.

The case was bound over to Superior Court.

This story was originally published March 31, 2016 at 11:58 AM with the headline "Court: Man found with more than $29,000 worth of marijuana."