'Gilligan' Gets Probation For Pot Bust

August 28, 1998 - United Press International

PRINCETON, W.Va., Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Actor Bob Denver, best known for his title role in the 1960s comedy ``Gilligan's Island'' is serving six months of unsupervised probation after pleading no contest to a misdemeanor charge of marijuana possession. Denver's attorney, Randal Roahrig, tells United Press International

The 63-year-old actor avoided a trial by entering the plea on Aug. 18 after reaching an agreement with the county prosecutor. Roahrig said: ``After six months the court will dismiss all charges against Mr. Denver. Six months after that his arrest record will be expunged.'' In June, West Virginia authorities were tipped off that a package containing marijuana was to be delivered to Denver's home.

After securing a search warrant, an undercover officer delivered the package. Shortly thereafter, a drug task force executed the warrant, finding slightly more than one ounce of marijuana and drug paraphernalia in Denver's home. Roahrig told UPI the sequence of events surrounding the search warrant was the main reason he was able to secure his client's freedom. Roahrig said under West Virginia law authorities erred by asking for the warrant while the package was already in their possession.

He said a legal search would have required the parcel to be first spotted on Denver's property. Denver has not commented since his arrest, but Roahrig said, ``It certainly appeared that the media exposure was much greater for Mr. Denver than it would have been for anyone else in a similar situtation.'' If the case had gone to trial on Sept. 3, Denver could have faced six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

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