Two charged with selling drug paraphernalia at fair
Two people face multiple charges for allegedly selling drug paraphernalia at a vendor booth at the Fayette County Fairgrounds.
Fayette County Drug Task Force Detective Ryan T. Reese said Stephen Krug, 33, and Maria Zelik, 24, both of Freeport, were each charged Tuesday with possession of drug paraphernalia, possession with intent to deliver drug paraphernalia and criminal mischief.
According to Reese, the pair paid to rent a booth at the fairgrounds and were selling items used to smoke marijuana inside Commercial Building No. 1.
The task force received a tip that marijuana devices were being sold at the booth Monday.
Reese said he and task force detectives Brian Harvey, Christoper Kozlowski, Thomas Patton and Norm Howard investigated and found the pair had more than 100 smoking devices in their possession for sell.
Reese said the pair maintained the items were for tobacco use. However, Reese said the items are not for tobacco use and that marijuana grinders and two digital scales were also confiscated.
“The items are used for marijuana, no matter if they have a sign on the table saying they’re for tobacco use only,” Reese said. “If I have a sign on a slot machine that says for amusement only, but every time three cherries hit a $100 in coins pop out, it’s still illegal.”
Reese said the pair had allegedly been selling the items since Thursday when the fair opened.
Misdemeanor charges against both were filed at the office of Magisterial District Judge Dwight Shaner.
Bill Jackson, president of the Fayette County Fair Board, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.