21-year-old Semaj Casterlow was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, convicted felon in the possession of a handgun and possession of marijuana after officers found him passed out in his car with the hazards on.
On August 13th, Officers Payne and Cunningham were on a routine patrol in the area when they investigated a narcotics violation at Goldbrier Lane and Raleigh Lagrange Road. They noticed a 2005 Gray Honda Accord with headlights off and hazards on. Officers stopped to see if the vehicle had someone in it and saw Semaj Casterlow, who appeared to be sleeping, behind the wheel. He came to when they knocked on the windows and was asked for identification. Instead of his identification, he pulled out a bag of marijuana from his front right pocket (total weight of 8.2 grams) and a large sum of money from the left pocket. Mr. Casterlow told officers it was $5,000. He was instructed to put the money and marijuana back as they noticed a black semi-automatic handgun shoved between the driver’s seat and center console. The gun was reported stolen. There were also seventeen rounds and a box of 20 additional Winchester 9mm rounds. Casterlow was arrested, the cannabis removed from his person, and placed in the squad car where he had the following conversation;
Casterlow: “Is there anything I can work out with you guys?”
Cunningham: “What did you have in mind?”
Casterlow: What do I have in mind? Officer, please, I would do anything for my son. I promise you. I’d risk anything.”
Cunningham: “Okay.”
Casterlow: “I’d go broke for my son. I promise you this. I wouldn’t do anything to hurt him. I can’t go back everything. I promise you. My dad just died.”
Cunningham: What is the money for you got?”
Casterlow: “This right here? Sir, you can have it all, sir. I just want to have my son.”
“Okay, so if we let you go you’ll give us that money?”
Casterlow: “Yes. Sir.”
A criminal history check also revealed that Semaj Casterlow was convicted of aggravated burglary in 2018.
Semaj Casterlow was arrested and charged with convicted felon in possession of a handgun, possession of controlled substance/marijuana, and unlawful possession of a weapon. His bond was set at $5,000.
