Resort Man Charged With Pot Distribution

OCEAN CITY -- A local man was arrested with a significant amount of marijuana in an Ocean City hotel room after resort police earlier in the day arrested his caretaker for possession.

Around 9:40 a.m. on Friday, Ocean City Police were conducting a follow-up check on the welfare of Brian Daniel Sterner, 37, of Ocean City, who was staying in a hotel room in the area of 32nd Street and Baltimore Ave. Earlier on Friday morning, another occupant in the hotel, identified as Jody Lyn Paull, 26, of Ocean City, was arrested for possession of marijuana and told officers she was the caretaker of the wheelchair-bound Sterner, who was staying in a neighboring room.

OCPD officers went to check on Sterner’s welfare and got no response after several attempts. When officers attempted to contact Sterner from outside the room, they detected an odor of marijuana coming from the unit. OCPD officers located Sterner on the balcony of the unit, and after he appeared unconscious at first, he eventually responded to officers.

Once inside the unit, officers observed a large amount of marijuana in Sterner’s lap and he was arrested for possession. After placing Sterner under arrest, police executed a search warrant for the room and located approximately 23 ounces of marijuana in various containers and bags. In addition, police seized over $600 in currency, several items of paraphernalia, computers, ledgers and phones.

In all, Sterner was charged with possession, possession with intent to distribute marijuana and distribution of marijuana. After an initial appearance before an Ocean City District Court Commissioner, Sterner released on personal recognizance.