Assault in Jefferson Started With Purchase of Fake Pot, Cops Say

A Hackettstown man was jailed on drug charges Tuesday after being involved in the assault of a person who bought fake marijuana from him, Mount Olive police said.

Michael Utter, 18, is being held in the Morris County Correctional Facility in lieu of $10,000 bail on charges of possession of an imitation controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute and distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, according to Ptl. Michael Russell.

Mount Olive police received a call from the Jefferson Township Police Department around 10 p.m. Wednesday about a male victim who was assaulted in Mount Olive and was being transported to Dover General Hospital for his injuries, Russell said. Police went to the hospital to speak with the victim, who told officers that he was assaulted by multiple people after purchasing the imitation marijuana from one of them. He also gave a description of the car of the alleged seller, Russell said.

Officers were able to locate the car and identify Utter, Russell said. Utter was arrested and transported to the police station.

For questions on this report, email ariana.cohn-sheehan@patch.com.