[B]URLINGTON — The Chittenden County state’s attorney is sticking up for one of her deputies whose parents are charged with trying to bring about 60 pounds of marijuana through Nebraska to Boston and eventually Vermont.
Sheriff’s deputies in Nebraska said they pulled over Patrick Jiron, 80, and Barbara Jiron, 70, of Clearlake Oaks, California, on a traffic violation Dec. 19 and caught a strong scent of marijuana when they went to speak to the couple, according to local news reports. Deputies said they found about 60 pounds of the drug with a street value of roughly $336,000.
The couple reportedly told police the pot was for Christmas presents. They face felony charges in Nebraska of possessing marijuana with intent to deliver and having no drug tax stamp.
The couple’s son is Justin Jiron, the chief deputy state’s attorney in Chittenden County. The connection was first reported by The Burlington Free Press.
“It is paramount that the community understand that Justin was in no way connected to this allegation other than by relation,” wrote Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George in a news release Wednesday.
“Justin, of course, loves his parents and is concerned about their welfare. However, he is extremely disappointed in their actions and behavior as reported by news outlets,” George wrote.
Justin Jiron has worked for the Chittenden County state’s attorney’s office for 15 years, George wrote. He has handled high-profile cases, including the 2006 prosecution of Brian Rooney for the murder of University of Vermont student Michelle Gardner-Quinn.
George said she won’t be taking media questions, since it’s a Nebraska case and is not otherwise connected to her office. An email to Justin Jiron was not immediately returned.
Marijuana possession is illegal in Nebraska and Vermont. The Vermont Legislature has considered proposals for various forms of legalization for several years.
Gov. Phil Scott vetoed legislation in May that would have legalized possession of an ounce of marijuana and a few plants. However, Scott established a panel via executive order that has been looking at how legalization would affect Vermont. A key member of that panel has said legalization is “inevitable.”
The state’s attorney’s news release is below.
