An actor who played McGruff the Crime Dog has been sentenced to 16 years in prison after pleading guilty to possession of marijuana and illegal weapons.
Police found 1,000 marijuana plants, 27 weapons, including a grenade launcher, and 9,000 rounds of ammunition in the home of 41-year-old John Morales, the
CBS News affiliate in Houston reported.
Morales insisted at the sentencing hearing that he is nonviolent, but U.S. District Judge Vanessa Gilmore said, "Everything I read about you makes you seem like a scary person."
McGruff is a cartoon bloodhound who has appeared in commercials, songs, and educational videos for children since the 1980s, teaching them about drugs, bullying, and safety.
The hound is known for the tagline, "Take a bite out of crime."
The dog is often played by actors wearing the character's raincoat costume who make appearances at schools and community events.
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