And The Plot Thickens
The two MINOR high school girls that were given marijuana by Brendan Donovan have been charged with possession of Xanax, distribution of Xanax and distribution within 1,000 feet of a school. All of these charges are felonies.
On the other hand, Brendan has been charged with possession of marijuana, being under the influence of marijuana and possessing drug paraphernalia. He has not been charged with anything more serious. Here is a chart of Marijuana Crimes in New Jersey:
| Marijuana Crimes | ||||
| Grade | Fine | Imprisonment | Enhanced Penalty | |
| Under the influence of marijuana | Disorderly Persons | Up to $1,000 | Up to 6 months | |
| Possession Offenses | ||||
| Grade | Fine | Imprisonment | Enhanced Penalty | |
| Possession of 50 grams or less | Disorderly Persons | Up to $1,000 | Up to 6 months | |
| Possession of more than 50 grams | 4th degree | Up to $25,000 | Up to 18 months | |
| Possession of marijuana paraphernalia | Disorderly Persons | Up to $1,000 | Up to 6 months | |
| Possession of marijuana in a school zone | Enhancement | Additional 100 hours of community service | ||
| Distribution Offenses | ||||
| Grade | Fine | Imprisonment | Enhanced Penalty | |
| Possession with intent to distribute a quantity of 25 lbs. or more | 1st degree | Up to $300,000 | 10-20 years | |
| Possession with intent to distribute a quantity of 5 lbs. or more and less than 25 lbs. | 2nd degree | Up to $150,000 | 5-10 years | |
| Possession with intent to distribute a quantity of one ounce or more but less than 5 lbs. | 3rd degree | Up to $25,000 | 3-5 years | |
| Possession with intent to distribute a quantity of less than one ounce | 4th degree | Up to $10,000 | Up to 18 months | |
| Distribution of marijuana paraphernalia | 4th degree | Up to $10,000 | Up to 18 months | |
| Distribution of marijuana paraphernalia to minors | Enhancement | Up to $15,000 | 3-5 years | |
| Sale to minors or pregnant women | Enhancement | Doubles original penalty | ||
As you can see, the crimes that Brendan has been charged with are relatively minor. All of them are disorderly person charges, with a relatively minor fine and the “possibility” of 6 months in jail.
The first question one has to ask though is why he was not charged with more serious crimes. Second question is; “Did he have the marijuana on him when he picked the MINOR high school girls up outside the high school”? If so, he should be charged with possession within 1000 feet of a school.
Since it is now common knowledge that he and the MINOR high school girls smoked marijuana in Bergen County Executive Kathleen Donovan’s house, why has he not been charged with “Distribution of marijuana paraphernalia to minors”? This would be a crime that could get him 3-5 years in the big house. Also, did he sell a little pot to the MINOR high school girls? That would get a double down on the charges? But these are only minor crimes in comparison to what he really should be charged with.
If you haven’t noticed I have tried to point out that these high school girls are MINORS! Brendan Donovan on the other hand is 20 years old, which makes him an ADULT! So once again, why is he not being charged with “Contributing to the delinquency of a minor”?
The offense of an adult causing or encouraging a minor to become involved in delinquent or illegal activity, to engage in conduct in the presence of a minor that is likely to lead to delinquent or illegal activity by the child, or to otherwise encourage a minor’s disregard for the law. See also juvenile delinquent and corruption of a minor.
Persons under the age of eighteen, known as juveniles, are presumed incapable of forming the criminal intent to commit criminal acts. They are, then, generally immune from prosecution for their crimes. They can still be held responsible in juvenile court for committing “delinquent acts,” which, if they were committed as an adult, would be considered crimes. However, a juvenile may be tried for a crime if the prosecution is able to convince the court to certify the juvenile as an adult. A prosecutor generally reserves certification of a juvenile for serious crimes, such as murder or rape. In the 1990s, some state legislatures passed statutes allowing prosecutors to certify for criminal trial juveniles as young as age 14.
Minors also warrant special protection from society. Criminal statutes punish adults for contributing to the delinquency of a minor. This crime can be any act that tends to make a child delinquent. For example, giving a minor illegal drugs or Pornography is criminal under these statutes. State statutes also criminalize the sale of other adult materials, such as tobacco and alcohol, to minors.
Don’t you find it strange that the adult son of the Bergen County Executive Kathleen Donovan is not being held accountable for his illegal activities with MINOR high school girls? I know I do. Why should the MINOR high school girls be treated so harshly while the adult they were with is treated with kid gloves? It sure sounds like something that Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli should be taking a look into, unless there is another reason for him to look the other way.
You will never see a charge like this here. First off its a first offense, and her mentors wont let this happen. They have the Bergen County Judicial system bought and paid for . Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
I find it difficult to believe that this is his first time.
This is not his first offense, it is his first that has been made public however. Kathleen Donovan is a liar and corrupt. She continually over steps her authority. All these articles are written about her and the things she does why doesn’t anyone call for her removal. The county executive is a nice to have position, not a need to have. The position should be eliminated.
Well first the “investigation” has to be determined to find where he got the drugs from. is he the seller or just the user and was he by a school when he purchased them. Then you have to look at his history. When the investigation is completed, and I mean really completed then the authorities can make a real charge based on all of the accumulated evidence. If his charges still fall in the range of what he was arrested for then no one can say anything else. If, however, it is determined that this is an ongoing problem and that further wrong doing was done then we’ll see.