Marijuana Found in Anti-Crime Legislator’s Home : Burglary: Assemblyman says small amount discovered by investigators was not his.

Assemblyman Jim Costa, author of a “three strikes and you’re out” anti-crime bill, said Wednesday that police investigating a burglary at his Fresno condominium found a small quantity of marijuana, but that it was not his.

The Democratic legislator issued a press announcement reporting that the home was burglarized last Thursday while he was working on anti-crime legislation in Sacramento. Among other things, thieves took electronic equipment, cuff links, a keepsake watch, wine and beer, he said.

Costa said officers investigating the break-in found the marijuana. “I’m not sure if it was dropped by the burglars or if this was a politically motivated act,” he said.

Fresno Police Lt. Roger Enmark said that there were no suspects in the burglary and that it was not known who owned the marijuana. He said that “residue and two ends of partially smoked marijuana cigarettes” were found in a shirt box lid in a bedroom.

“We have no way to tell whether the burglars brought it in, it was (Costa’s) or anybody else’s,” Enmark said. He said the marijuana investigation would not be pursued because of limited police resources and because the fine for possession of such a small amount would only be $100.

Costa, who said the break-in was his fourth burglary, received unwanted publicity in 1986 after he and a 19-year-old solicited a police informant for a “threesome” act of prostitution. He pleaded no contest, was fined $255 and put on probation.

Costa said the burglary “reminded me once again how painful it is to be a crime victim.”

Costa, along with Assemblyman Bill Jones (R-Fresno), is the author of one of several bills that would increase the penalties for repeat felony offenders. The bills, with strong public backing, were approved by the Assembly on Monday and sent to the Senate.