Days after being arrested in the U.S., one of the members of B.C. hardcore punk band Dayglo Abortions has been charged with a drug offence. Murray Acton and Matthew Fiorito were both taken into custody Saturday in Ohio, according to the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office. Fiorito has since been charged with one count of drug possession, while Acton, who also goes by the stage name “The Cretin,” was released without charges. Victoria criminal lawyer Jim Heller, who is representing the band, told CTV News the men were pulled over while driving a vehicle they purchased for their U.S. tour. “They got stopped because there were questions about whether they had proper temporary plates,” Heller said. “One thing led to another, and the vehicle was searched.” Online records show Fiorito is accused of possessing either a Schedule 1 or Schedule 2 substance – which includes everything from cannabis to heroin, as well as prescription drugs such as Adderall and Ritalin. Heller told CTV News the allegation involves a “very small amount” of a substance, but said he could not confirm which. While there has been online speculation the arrests were related to the country’s aggressive immigration enforcement under U.S. President Donald Trump’s second administration, Heller said there is no “political element” to the case. The musicians are hopeful to continue their cross-country tour, according to their lawyer. “They want to keep going. It’s pure punk rock, huh?” he said. Dayglo Abortions have faced legal issues in the past, including when two of the band’s early albums prompted criminal obscenity charges in Ontario back in 1988. The charges were laid against record label Fringe Product Inc. and distributor Record Peddler, and not members of the band themselves. A jury ultimately found both of the accused companies not guilty.
