Chanhassen, Minnesota 2015.
Prosecutor Eric J. Braaten has issued a warrant for Prince Roger Nelson of Chanhassen, MN. According to Xcel energy, the Upper Midwests' electric company, Prince's power usage was abnormally high. Repeated visits by the Carver County Sheriff's office were met with cold shoulders. So Judge Braaten issued a search warrant on Paisley Park.
Sheriffs found a hydroponic marijuana garden that was described by one sheriff as "larger than the Como Zoo's conservatory".
Prince was arrested and charged with an intent to distribute marijuana.
Prince made no bones about hydroponic garden. Against the advice of his lawyers, he spoke to the media about why he posessed so much marijuana.
"I am going through a lot of pain right now. Few people know this, but I've had repeated hip surgeries. The pain was so bad that I had an opioid addiction. Nobody knew about this either. But I weened myself off of them and I switched over to pot. Pot was only thing that's managing my pain is cannabis. And so far, it's working. It's wrong and immoral for the state of Minnesota and the government of the United States to keep a medicine like this illegal. I will proudly go to jail if it means that the need for medical marijuana is brought to the attention of the general public. I'd rather live a life of pain in jail than be addicted to an opioid again."
Prince faces the consequences of his actions. After admitting that he used marijuana, the church leadership in his Kingdom Hall excommunicates him from the organization. Lawyers are also telling him that he's likely to see 8 years in jail for the amount of marijuana he possessed, although there is a chance that the jury will simply nullify his conviction based on his celebrity status.
More to come.