By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer
Two Princeton University football players charged in separate marijuana possession cases resolved their matters Monday in municipal court, ahead of the team’s season finale this weekend.
Luke F. Timm, an 18-year-old freshman wide receiver, and John M. Gearon, a 19-year-old sophomore defensive lineman, had been charged by the university’s Public Safety Department in September and October, respectively, with possession of under 50 grams of marijuana and other offenses. But both men, represented by the same defense lawyer, Bryce Chase, a Princeton graduate who regularly represents university athletes when they get in trouble with the law, reached deals with municipal prosecutor Reed Gusciora to resolve the matter.
In Mr. Timm’s case, he was given a six-month conditional discharge on marijuana possession, which means he will be on probation for that long, court records showed. If he stays out of trouble for that period, the matter will dismissed. The other charge, of possession of drug paraphernalia, was dismissed, records showed.
As for Mr. Gearon, he pleaded guilty to a disorderly persons offense and had his marijuana possession charge dismissed, court records showed. He paid a $533 fine, records showed.
Mr. Chase could not be reached for comment Tuesday. The university athletic department had no comment Tuesday.
The football team plays its final game of the season Saturday, at home, against Dartmouth.
