Pubdate: Thu, 26 Apr 2001
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Copyright: 2001 Los Angeles Times
Contact:  http://www.latimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/248
Author: Times Wire Reports

AMERICAN WON'T FACE DRUG-DEALING CHARGE

Prosecutors dropped drug-dealing charges against an American student,
saying they would seek a four-year sentence on the lesser charge of
drug abuse instead.

Investigators in Voronezh had threatened John Edward Tobin with up to
15 years in prison for allegedly running a marijuana den. Officials
also hinted he was a spy in training.

But prosecutors dropped the drug-dealing charges after witnesses
provided no incriminating evidence. Tobin, 24, a Fulbright scholar,
denies all the accusations. 
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