Orly Katz and Howard Arenstein, a high-powered journalistic couple, were both arrested for marijuana production and sale over the weekend. Arenstein and Katz both work as reporters. Arenstein operates as the CBS Radio bureau chief in Washington D.C., when Katz acts as a Washington correspondent for Yedioth Ahronoth, a newspaper based in Israel. Vice squad law enforcement officers arrested both individuals when they found prepared marijuana in their home.
Howard Arenstein’s arrest
Acting on a tip from neighbors, police executed a search warrant on the home of Howard Arenstein and Orly Katz. Prosecutors have charged Arenstein and Orly Katz with possession of weed and intent to distribute the marijuana discovered in their home. Both of the reporters were released on their own recognizance. The way the law is written, they can prepare for their trial while outside of jail. If convicted, the couple could face a number of thousand dollars in fines and a few years in jail.
Weed bust at Arenstein’s home
After neighbors complained about cannabis within the back yard, vice police officers raided Arenstein’s home. The back yard of the house was discovered to have eight foot tall cannabis plants. 12 ounces of weed was also discovered prepared within the couple’s house. The fact that the marijuana was packaged in relatively large packages is what brought up the “intent to distribute” charge.
CBS News launches investigation into Arenstein
CBS News officials have declined to officially comment on Howard Arenstein’s arrest. Reports from the Brand new York Post say that an internal investigation to the matter is being launched, however. The internal politics of both news organizations is such that they may not be fired for their infraction. D.C. doesn’t have a medical weed law, which means there is no lawful recourse for the couple.
Citations
New York Post
nypost.com/p/news/national/news_chief_in_pot_bust_lbSxPNSQJJALmj9gvLJNSO
Hollywood Reporter
hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i6bc2dd0e5ce14ff2beb7b1e5dcba3034
