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| Shlomo Ettlinger |
(Scroll down for video) An Orthodox Jewish rabbi was arrested and charged with felony drug possession related charges after police found drugs in his house during a party, according to court proceedings in Rockland County, New York.
Now, a petition was launched, in which the Jewish community of Monsey, New York is demanding that prosecutors punish the rabbi to the fullest extent of the law in order to fight the out of control drug abuse within the Orthodox Jewish community. More than 130 people have already signed the petition urging Rockland County prosecutors to take a hard-line against the man accused of selling drugs in Monsey, New York.
The petition, which was organized on the website change.org is demanding that Shlomo Ettlinger receive a long jail sentence as a deterrent. The petition includes a picture of Ettlinger along with the signatures of local residents and 12 Orthodox Jewish rabbis, including the Rabbinical Council of America and the Orthodox Jewish Union.
Ettlinger, a member of the Nanach Breslov Hasidic sect, was charged several months ago with possession of two pounds of marijuana, 370 grams of hashish oil, a .357-caliber Smith & Wesson weapons, ammunition and $2,000 in cash. A Ramapo Police investigation led to the arrest of five people for possessing small amounts of marijuana after purchasing the marijuana during a house party on Blauvelt Road.
Ettlinger, an ordained rabbi, has no criminal record.
He has pleaded not guilty to charges of felony second-degree criminal possession of marijuana and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. He was also charged with a misdemeanor count of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. The unlicensed weapon with ammunition was found in his home.
In the video below you can see Rabbi Ettlinger singing the halel prayers on the first day of the Jewish month.Mobile video not loading? Click here to view