VIGILANTE PLANS TO PLEAD GUILTY IN HOPES OF LEAVING COUNTY JAIL
by C. RON ALLEN; Staff Writer

Samuel Mohammed, the antidrug crusader who burned down a
crackhouse and then was jailed for violating probation when
he tested positive for marijuana, wants to go free.

His attorney, Sam Berry, said Mohammed plans to plead
guilty on Wednesday to his probation violation so he can
resume his work in the community. In a letter to Judge
Roger B. Colton, Mohammed said he is confident he can prove
his case, "but why, at the risk of such great loss to my
ministry? I really cannot see that I deserve such a loss,
especially since I help so many people."

In the letter, Mohammed said he is scheduled to
participate in a master gardeners training program in his
Pleasant City neighborhood that began on March 5, and he
would like to be released in time to participate.

Mohammed has been in the Palm Beach County Jail since he
was picked up on Jan. 30 for violating probation because he
failed to take a courtordered drug urine test.

The probation violation stems from his 1995 arrest by
West Palm Beach police on two counts of arson and burglary
after he torched a crackhouse. A jury in August found him
guilty of the lesser charges of criminal mischief and
trespassing.

Colton fined Mohammed $ 255 and sentenced him to
probation. As part of his probation, he was to perform 200
hours of community service and undergo routine drug tests.
But Mohammed failed to fulfill both provisions of his
probation, and he said that drug testing would violate his
right to privacy.

After his January arrest, Mohammed was brought back into
court and submitted to a drug test, which he failed.

Traces of THC, the active drug in marijuana, were found
in his system, according to court records.

The selfproclaimed healer said he might have used
fermented marijuana seeds and leaves in holistic
medicines he concocted.

Berry said he has tried to persuade Mohammed to stick to
his principles and fight the probation violation charge,
but Mohammed wants to get out of jail.

At least three people have written Colton asking him to
release Mohammed so he can continue his work in the
community.

"Mr. Mohammed is not a danger to himself or anyone else,
and in fact, is noted for being able to counsel individuals
from all walks of life who need a spiritual perspective in
their affairs," stated a letter, signed by Andrea Lea,
project director of CIELO Gardens. "We feel that this
gentle soul deserves better treatment in these enlightened
times."

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