Two owners of more than 100 VIP Smoke shops around the Tri-state are accused of selling vapes with too much THC.Three men are facing a total of 60 criminal counts, including trafficking in hashish and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.“The target of this investigation is vape containing too much THC, although that’s going to be in dispute,” said defense attorney Rich Goldberg.Wael Sharaydeh and Ismail Sherida are brothers and co-owners of the shops.“Both the state and defense are going to have their work cut out to either prosecute or defend their case,” said former prosecutor Jason Phillabaum.Phillabaum is not involved in the case but said it could come down to both sides using competing scientific experts to dispute whether the THC levels are legal.“There are instructions that if you have competing experts – that almost raises reasonable doubt. So, if this is a battle of experts, the advantage goes to the defendant,” Phillabaum said.Adding to the complexity of the case is that Wael Sharaydeh is also charged with possessing child porn. Federal court documents say Sharaydeh, who is 55, was in possession of pornography involving a 16-year-old girl.”It’s really not as bad as it sounds,” Goldberg said.Goldberg said Sharaydeh had a consensual and legal relationship with the girl, who was 16 years old at the time.“They can do whatever they want sexually; however, she can’t send him any pictures, and when she sent him pictures over this device, you’re not allowed to possess these pictures of from a minor,” Goldberg said.At the same time, the smoke shop owners have a lawsuit against the Warren County sheriff’s department claiming they illegally seized property in the course of the investigation. The owners named items including handguns, ammunition, cell phones, passports and cash among the items they want back.
CINCINNATI —
Two owners of more than 100 VIP Smoke shops around the Tri-state are accused of selling vapes with too much THC.
Three men are facing a total of 60 criminal counts, including trafficking in hashish and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.
“The target of this investigation is vape containing too much THC, although that’s going to be in dispute,” said defense attorney Rich Goldberg.
Wael Sharaydeh and Ismail Sherida are brothers and co-owners of the shops.
“Both the state and defense are going to have their work cut out to either prosecute or defend their case,” said former prosecutor Jason Phillabaum.
Phillabaum is not involved in the case but said it could come down to both sides using competing scientific experts to dispute whether the THC levels are legal.
“There are instructions that if you have competing experts – that almost raises reasonable doubt. So, if this is a battle of experts, the advantage goes to the defendant,” Phillabaum said.
Adding to the complexity of the case is that Wael Sharaydeh is also charged with possessing child porn. Federal court documents say Sharaydeh, who is 55, was in possession of pornography involving a 16-year-old girl.
”It’s really not as bad as it sounds,” Goldberg said.
Goldberg said Sharaydeh had a consensual and legal relationship with the girl, who was 16 years old at the time.
“They can do whatever they want sexually; however, she can’t send him any pictures, and when she sent him pictures over this device, you’re not allowed to possess these pictures of from a minor,” Goldberg said.
At the same time, the smoke shop owners have a lawsuit against the Warren County sheriff’s department claiming they illegally seized property in the course of the investigation. The owners named items including handguns, ammunition, cell phones, passports and cash among the items they want back.