If you are reading this, please read through until the end.

Until we know more about the fate of our case, we are not doing a public campaign, so this is only being distributed amongst a trusted group of friends. What you read here is about as much as we have been advised to discuss regarding this incident. We ask that you DO NOT make this viral or ask us detailed questions. DO NOT share this on social media. Everyone who we choose to know about this will receive it directly from us. Please respect our privacy for now. This is in the best of interest of everyone. 

On March 4th, 2017, the Jersey City Police executed a search on our private rental property and arrested me and Ethel. This was done without a warrant and under pretenses claimed that had nothing to do with the nature of our charges. Our 4th amendment rights were violated. We are facing multiple, serious felony charges that have the very real possibility of jail time. Our most serious charge is a first degree felony of running an illegal cannabis facility. We were taken to Hudson County Correctional Facility and sent to general population. Ethel was put in virtual solitary confinement for 2 days, a very traumatic experience for her. Our health and wellness deteriorated quickly. Conditions in Hudson County Correctional Facility are not fit for an animal of any sort. We are recovered now, but under legal counsel, we cannot go into details about our case. Nonetheless, we do hope our story is told, and hopefully as time goes on, we will be able to tell it.

However, the pressing matter is our charges. We are being threatened with the loss of our freedom for a non-violent, victimless offense. Like many other states in America, the state of New Jersey is backwards on cannabis laws. The charge of running an illegal cannabis facility threatens 10–20 years of jail time. We are also looking down the barrel of a possible financial crisis. We have already been financially victimized by what has happened. The Jersey City Police took $500 out of my wallet and claimed it as "evidence". Ethel is a salaried employee at a very respectable institution and that could be in jeopardy. If this battle becomes protracted, we are looking at thousands of dollars in legal costs. I certainly don't like foisting my problems on others or begging, but we need support now more than we ever have before.

There is a piece of good news in all this. Due to the gravity and nature of this case, our case has been taken up by Ruth Liebesman, the former head of NY NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws). She will be representing us and is motivated by the shared conscience that the prohibition of cannabis is one of the most antiquated and barbaric standing policies of our lifetime. Mrs. Liebesman needs to make legal motions without interference from the public, so again we do ask that you refrain from posting anything related to this on social media. However, this very well will change if this escalates to trial, so be prepared to standby, all our wonderful friends. This could become a public campaign. In the meantime, there is one obvious way to help us and that is to make a financial contribution to our legal defense fund. It doesn't matter how large or small it is. Every little bit will help and is appreciated with all the love in our hearts. To those who aren't able to contribute, we understand. We are open to any other creative ways to support. Feel free to suggest anything and we will clear it with our attorney. We may not be able to do everything at this point. It depends on how the case progresses. We would still like to know how you might be available. For now, we are beginning this legal fund and telling our close friends to standby if this becomes a public campaign, in which case we will be asking for everyone's efforts. Our goal for this CrowdJustice.org account is $5,000 as this represents our legal cost as of now. This amount may also increase if it becomes a public campaign and the case goes to trial.

This has been a very traumatic experience for both of us, and I cannot lie, my friends. We are in trouble and need help. We are not criminals and we will fight this.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

– Darren Deicide
– Ethel Lynn