@$ID/NormalParagraphStyle:Four accused of pot possession

BENNINGTON — Four people were in Bennington district court Monday to answer to a charge of possessing marijuana after police said they found each with the drug during a traffic stop Dec. 22, 2011.

Austin E. Bevin, 19, of Hartford, Conn., Evan J. Francis, 19, of Rochester, N.Y., and Michael R. Smith, 20, of Burlington, pleaded innocent to the misdemeanor charge. Lacey L. Peterson, 19, of Bennington, was referred to the court diversion program.

In an affidavit, Trooper Wayne Godfrey, of the Vermont State Police, said he stopped a car driven by Bevin on Park Street in Bennington around 5:40 p.m. on Dec. 22, 2011, because the car had a defective taillight.

According to the affidavit, marijuana was found in the pocket of the driver’s side door.

Godfrey said he spoke to the four other passengers of the car and Peterson admitted to having marijuana. According to Godfrey, Francis and Smith denied having marijuana but marijuana was found in Francis’ jacket pocket and a plastic bag of marijuana was found in Smith’s book bag.

If Peterson successfully completes the court diversion program, she will not have a criminal record.