By Marty Trese, KnoxPages.com Editor
BUTLER – On Saturday afternoon several drug related “adverse reactions” were felt by some concert goers at a music festival on Tugend Road. According to a report from the Richland County Prosectutor’s Office the reactions involved specific packaging that was handed out or thrown into crowds at the festival. The specific packaging was in a silver font sealed and resealable package with a circle emblem that stated “RX Prescibled Medibles by Dr. Greenbud, NERD ROPES 100 mg.”
Most of those who admitted to ingesting the candy in the packets reported an adverse reaction and sought help. They were taken to a hospital for treatment. Deputies were advised of a person with a backpack handing out the packets that were the same as the ones that were located and turned in earlier in the day. A witness took photos of the defendant, Matthew Lee Gross, 28, of Ypsilanti, Michigan.
Photo of Mattthew Gross taken at music festival by concert goer, courtesy Richland County Sheriff’s Office
Deputies were notified that a security guard from the production company that was running the event located a defendant. The defendant gave consent to search his bag and some drug paraphernalia was located including a packet with the candy in it. The defendant stated initially that he picked them up from the ground. According to the report Gross gave different accounts of how he was in possession of the marked packets. He was identified by the pictures and seen reaching into the backpack and throwing the items into the air. The clothing, hat and face and body shape were that of the defendant.
Gross had two ID cards from Michigan that he is licensed to possess and/or grow marijuana. After Gross was arrested and taken to jail, a small baggie of marijuana was located in one of his pockets. As of Sunday afternoon Gross is charged with Trafficking in Drugs containing hashish. According to a document from Mansfield Municipal court it is recommended that a cash bond of $50,000 be set in Gross’ case. According to a phone recording at the jail, no bond had been set.
