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St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Lee Enterprises

Thursday, August 7, 2008 9:33 PM CDT
Trial for Beal in Nov. for alleged cash stashing

By HERB MEEKER, Staff Writer
hmeeker@jg-tc.com

CHARLESTON — The prosecution is going forward with the case against two men accused of trying to hide backpacks of cash from police officers June 3 at a Mattoon restaurant.

On Wednesday, Judge Richard Scott found probable cause for seeking jury trials for Irvin Dana Beal, 61, of New York City and Jesse Balcom, 31, of Silver Spring, Md., in November on felony charges of obstructing justice for allegedly hiding backpacks containing up to $170,000 under a parked car near the Mattoon Steak N Shake Restaurant on the night of June 3.

Five different counts have been filed against both men with potential penalties upon conviction of one to three years, said Coles County Assistant State’s Attorney Mick McAvoy. Three additional counts for obstruction of justice were filed this week.

Defense lawyers attempted to have charges dismissed earlier this week, but Scott, during a continuance of a preliminary hearing, ruled the prosecution had presented legal precedence to support a finding of probable cause to continue with the case. Defense lawyers were not present during the hearing Wednesday morning in the Coles County Courthouse.

Law officers said the money was linked to money laundering for marijuana sales. A police canine detected the bags, indicating, officers said, an odor of marijuana or a controlled substance on the cash inside.

The defendants and a female traveling companion indicated to police they were headed west in a van to drop off a cat. Police were called to the restaurant when the woman started arguing with her elderly mother in the restaurant. An eyewitness at a nearby hotel said one of the defendants took the bags out of the van and placed them under a parked car.

Beal is an activist supporting patients’ rights for medical use of marijuana. Colleagues state he has participated in many events and marches to repeal the penalties and restrictions on marijuana use.

Both accused men have denied the charges and have been released on $7,500 bail, which amounted to 10 percent of the reduced bond amounts.

Contact Herb Meeker at hmeeker@jg-tc.com or 238-6869.

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