A White Earth Ojibwe man who lives in Washington could be sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for allegedly possessing peyote and marijuana.
Paul Skyhorse Durant was in Ventura County, California, when police say they found small amounts of peyote and marijuana in his car. As a member of the Native American Church, he says he has a right to possess peyote. He says the marijuana was for medicinal purposes only.
The case poses problems for Durant due to a prior conviction in California for armed robbery. He and Richard Mohawk were convicted in 1994.
Durant, members of the White Earth Band from Minnesota and his supporters gathered Monday as the court was considering part of the case. They held a drum ceremony.
Get the Story:Man fighting peyote charges back in court (The Ventura County Star 5/2)
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