Officers assigned to the Entertainment District Unit downtown arrested a total of ten persons, almost all of them from out of state, on Friday and Saturday nights for selling balloons containing nitrus oxide (laughing gas), which was being inhaled by purchasers. Nitrus oxide is commonly used during dental and medical procedures as a sedative.
The arrests took place in areas close to Bridgestone Arena, where the band Phish was in concert. In addition to the arrests, approximately 20 cylindrical canisters and three vehicles were seized as evidence.
Those charged with the felony offense of sale or delivery of inhaling fumes are:
- Marquael Clingner, 23, of Pottstown, Pennsylvania
- Matthew Landan, 51, of Louisville, Kentucky
- Mervin Brown, 56, of Columbia, South Carolina
- Raasheem Queen, 22, of Queens, New York
- Rhonda Cain, 35, of Columbia, South Carolina
- Marcellous Gibson, 57, of Locust Grove, Georgia
- Ronald Knott, 21, of Runnemede, New Jersey
- William K. Wright, 25, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Roy Hastings, 31, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Justin Wiseman, 35, of Ashland City, Tennessee
An additional five persons were charged with misdemeanors for possessing or consuming nitrus oxide balloons.
Related Images
Marquael Clinger, 23
Matthew Landan, 51
Mervin Brown, 56
Raasheem Queen, 22
Rhonda Cain, 35
Marcellous Gibson, 57
Ronald Knott, 21
William K. Wright, 25
Roy Hastings, 31
Justin Wiseman, 35
Seized Canisters