| Photo: News 10 |
| Bernell Bryan Washington (left) and Sky Manriquez are accused of going on a spending spree, including buying $225 worth of marijuana withwith the senator’s credit card |
A couple who investigators claim used a Virginia state senator’s American Express card to buy marijuana at a Sacramento dispensary have surrendered to authorities.
Bernell Washington, 24, and Sky Manriquez, 21, turned themselves in because of the intense publicity surrounding the case, according to Sacramento Valley Hi-Tech Crimes Task Force commander Capt. Jim Cooper, reports George Warren at News 10.
The pair is accused of going on a spending spree with Sen. Richard Saslaw’s credit card. Saslaw is Democratic majority leader in the Virginia State Senate.
The couple’s purchases included expensive restaurant meals, smoking paraphernalia and $225 worth of medical marijuana from the Fruitridge Health and Wellness Collective.
| Robert A. Reeder/Washington Post |
| Sen. Richard Saslaw: “I’m past the generation that used to do that” |
Senator Saslaw said he believed the American Express card information was stolen by an insider at a restaurant in Virginia while he dined with two fellow legislators who also became the victims of identity theft.
Saslaw chuckled when asked if he has used his credit card to buy marijuana.
“I’m 70 years old,” Saslaw said by telephone from Virginia. “I’m past the generation that used to do that.”
Washington and Manriquez are charged with felony identity theft. Washington also faces two weapons charges. Both were released on bail, according to Cooper.
Manriquez was arraigned on Tuesday, according to Sacramento County records. Washington’s arraignment is scheduled for July 12.
