CASSOPOLIS — An instructor with Southwestern Michigan College is in police custody, on suspicions that he was in possession of marijuana earlier this week.

George Field, of Dowagiac, was charged on a single count of possession of marijuana during his arraignment hearing Thursday in Cass County District Court. He is currently being lodged in Cass County Jail, with his bond set for $1,000 cash or surety.

According to the court, the charge against Field stems from an incident that occurred on Tuesday, Sept. 19. The possession charge is a misdemeanor that carries a penalty of up to one year in jail and/or fines of up to $2,000, in addition to court fees.

During his arraignment, Field pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Field has been employed as an instructor at Southwestern Michigan College for around five years, he said in court Thursday. He also said that he has no felony convictions on his record.

According to Southwestern Michigan College President David Mathews, the college has launched an internal investigation into Field’s conduct, which is expected to wrap up Friday. The administrator said that the instructor’s misconduct took place outside college grounds.

Field is scheduled to appear again in court at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, for a pretrial conference.