HAVERHILL - The teen charged with peddling pot through a McDonald's drive-through window this week wants everyone to know he's sorry.
"I'm sorry, and I'm embarrassed for the McDonald's corporation," Michael Brown said outside Haverhill District Court yesterday. "I'm sorry to my family and the city of Haverhill."
Asked if he was guilty, Brown replied, "Everyone is innocent until proven guilty."
Brown, 18, of 49 Bradford Ave., was busted Thursday night for selling marijuana at the 24-hour fast-food restaurant at 1180 Main St. near the Plaistow, N.H., line, police said. Yesterday, he was arraigned and released on his own recognizance.
Police Sgt. John Arahovites said Brown, an assistant manager at the store, would sell bags of marijuana worth $20 to $80 along with a McDonald's meal to his customers. He would use his cell phone and direct customers to the drive-through. Police set up a sting to buy $40 worth of marijuana from Brown and arrested him Thursday at the restaurant. Police seized $57 and six bags of marijuana from Brown.
Tim Doyle, the restaurant's operations manager, offered a brief statement.
"We take these matters very seriously and are cooperating fully with the police in their investigation," Doyle said. "This is an isolated incident by one individual, and he is no longer an employee."
Brown said he plans to move on with his life.
"This is not going to put me down," Brown said. "I'll get back on my feet."
Brown could face jail time if convicted. The maximum sentence for possession of marijuana to distribute is 21/2 years in jail. A conviction for intent to distribute marijuana carries a potential two-year jail sentence.
