SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — In a jury trial this week in San Francisco Superior Court, a man is facing six drug-related charges, three for possession and intent to sell different narcotics, and three for using a minor to sell those substances. The accused, represented by Deputy Public Defender Maxwell Iberitzth, pleaded not guilty, arguing that he was not the dealer but a vulnerable person exploited for his addiction. Judge Kenneth Wine will decide after the jury reaches its verdict.
The charges include possession and intent to sell fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine. The remaining charges allege that he used a 15-year-old girl to sell each of those drugs. The defense argued that the man was merely following orders in exchange for drugs to feed his addiction and that the minor was the one profiting.
Deputy District Attorney Robert Miranda described the incident that led to the arrest. According to testimony, an officer observed the accused approach a car with a 15-year-old girl inside. She allegedly took narcotics from a Steve Madden bag strapped to the man’s chest, then drove off and sold them to another person in an alley. Both were arrested…