| On September 26, 2015, police in Pasadena, Texas arrested 20-year-old Amber Upchurch after confiscating pills from her that they suspected were Alprazolam, an anti-anxiety medication.
On April 28, 2016, Upchurch pled guilty in Harris County Criminal District Court to a misdemeanor charge of possession of a controlled substance. She was sentenced to 120 days in the Harris County Jail.
On May 3, 2016, lab tests performed on the pills by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences were negative for any controlled substance. The lab informed the Harris County District Attorney’s conviction integrity unit, which notified Upchurch’s defense attorney.
The defense attorney filed a motion to vacate the conviction, which was supported by the prosecution. On May 11, 2016, the motion was granted and the prosecution dismissed the charge.
– Maurice Possley
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