Barbara Jiron (left) and her husband Patrick Jiron (right) were arrested in Nebraska last month for carrying 60 pounds of marijuana that they described as family Christmas gifts. The Jiron's were again arrested Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018 along Interstate 80 in northeast Nebraska. (Lancaster County Sheriff's Department via AP)

Elderly couple busted in Nebraska for marijuana Christmas presents trial scheduled

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YORK, Neb. (AP) — A trial on drug charges has been scheduled for a California couple who have said the marijuana they are accused of hauling through Nebraska was intended for Christmas gifts.

Court records say 70-year-old Barbara Jiron, of Clearlake Oaks, California, pleaded not guilty Monday to four felony charges, including two for pot possession. Her husband, 80-year-old Patrick Jiron, also has pleaded not guilty. Their trial is set to begin May 22 in York.

Authorities have said that when the Jirons were arrested Dec. 19 along Interstate 80, they said they didn’t know it was illegal to transport marijuana through Nebraska. They told authorities the 60 pounds (27 kilograms) of pot was intended as presents for relatives in Vermont and Massachusetts.