Churchgoer accused of passing out THC-laced cookies is charged

St. John the Apostle Church. (Fox 59)

A 74-year-old Indiana man is facing charges in connection with passing out cookies laced with THC -- the active chemical in marijuana -- at a church in Ellettsville.

Police began their investigation on May 22 after six people at St. John the Apostle Church were hospitalized after eating cookies given to them by a member of the congregation after mass.

WEDDING SHELLS: GUNFIRE AT CEREMONY CAUGHT ON VIDEO

"We are praying for everyone involved.  We are praying for Mr. Jones.  We are keeping in prayer those who took ill that Sunday and we are praying for justice with mercy," explains Father Daniel Mahan, with St. John's Catholic Church.

Those hospitalized ranged in age from 12 to 70, and their symptoms included high blood pressure, anxiety, lethargy and paranoia.

The cookies were the only common factor among those who fell ill, and their urine tested positive for cannabinoids.

Police sent a cookie from the batch for analysis, and it tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC.

Following the investigation, Ellettsville police charged Brian N. Jones. Jones faces two charges including criminal recklessness and possession of hash oil.