CriminalSports: criminalsports: Arrests

Wed, 06 Nov 2002 00:08:55 GMT

ARRESTED: Marty Johnson, Utah Football

SALT LAKE CITY -- Associated Press reports Utah running back Marty Johnson could face drunken-driving charges in a case in which he is accused of leaving the scene of an accident after crashing into a parked car near the school stadium. Johnson was arrested Oct. 27. Former teammate Anthony Arceneaux, kicked off the team for an undisclosed violation of team rules a week earlier, also was arrested for allegedly trying to cover for Johnson.

Mon, 04 Nov 2002 19:32:26 GMT

ARRESTED: Dawan Moss, Michigan State Football

EAST LANSING, Michigan -- Associated Press reports Michigan State officials announced Sunday quarterback Jeff Smoker has a substance abuse problem and dismissed arrested running back Dawan Moss from the team. On October 24, Williams suspended the 21-year-old Smoker for an undisclosed violation of team rules.

Moss was dismissed from the team by Williams after his arrest Saturday night on felony and misdemeanor charges. According to Lansing Police Department Sgt. Dave Dahlke, Moss was charged with fleeing and eluding, a felony, and operating under the influence and resisting arrest, a pair of misdemeanors. He was jailed, arraigned on the charges Sunday morning and posted bond.

Fri, 01 Nov 2002 22:05:09 GMT

ARRESTED: Tommy Bennett, Former NFL

PHOENIX -- Associated Press reports former Arizona Cardinals safety Tommy Bennett was arrested last week, accused of failing to appear in court on charges of drug paraphernalia possession and driving with a suspended license. The Cardinals released Bennett in August 2001, and he signed with the Detroit Lions. He was suspended for the final four games of 2001 for violating the NFL's steroid-use policy. The Lions did not renew his contract.

Fri, 01 Nov 2002 21:10:55 GMT

CHARGED: Ryan McGuffy, Wyoming Football

CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- Associated Press reports Wyoming receiver and team captain Ryan McGuffey was suspended indefinitely after being charged with drunken driving. McGuffey, 21, rear-ended a pickup truck on an interstate highway early Sunday, said Sgt. Stephen Townsend of the Wyoming Highway Patrol. No one was injured. McGuffey posted $400 bond and was released later Sunday, officials said.

Tue, 29 Oct 2002 22:40:31 GMT

CHARGED: Deuce McAlister, New Orleans Saints

KENNER, La. -- Associated Press reports New Orleans Saints running back Deuce McAllister was arrested for driving with a suspended license after he was caught speeding. McAllister was pulled over Saturday morning on his way to the Saints' practice facility for driving 70 mph in a 40 mph zone, coach Jim Haslett said. McAllister's license was suspended because he had not paid a ticket.

McAllister was booked at the Kenner jail, then transported to a Jefferson Parish jail where he was released on bond, police said. The bond amount and length of time McAllister spent in jail was unknown.

Tue, 29 Oct 2002 22:37:21 GMT

CHARGES REFILED: Tamotu Tagoa'i, Nebraska Football

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Associated Press reports prosecutors will refile assault charges against a Nebraska football player for failing to comply with a program in which he was ordered to do community service. Tamotu "Junior" Tagoa'i was accused of hitting his girlfriend in the jaw at their apartment on Oct. 23, 2001. Lancaster County Attorney Gary Lacey said Tuesday his office decided to file third-degree assault charges.

Among the unmet requirements cited were failure to verify completion of 30 hours of community service and a mandatory domestic violence prevention course, Lacey said.

Tue, 29 Oct 2002 22:33:38 GMT

CHARGED: Peter Martocci, Hofstra Football

MINEOLA, N.Y. -- Associated Press reports a Hofstra football player posted $100,000 bond on Tuesday following his arrest on charges he raped and sodomized a female student on a campus athletic field. Peter Martocci pleaded innocent Monday, his lawyer, Bruce Eiber, said. Martocci, a 6-foot-3, 290-pound offensive lineman, was automatically suspended from the team because he was charged with a felony, Hofstra spokesman Michael DeLuise said.

According to prosecutors, Martocci met the 18-year-old woman at a bar Saturday night, and as the two were walking together early the next morning, he attacked her when she refused to go to his dorm room, police said. He was arrested Sunday.

If convicted, the 19-year-old player could be sentenced to up to 25 years in prison.

Thu, 24 Oct 2002 21:10:04 GMT

ARRESTED: Bryan Robinson, Chicago Bears

CHICAGO -- The Sports Network reports Chicago Bears defensive end Bryan Robinson has voluntarily entered himself into the NFL's substance-abuse program following his second DUI charge of the year, according to published reports. Robinson was arrested for drunken driving and released on his own recognizance early last Friday. He was pulled over by police in suburban Lincolnshire at 2:30 a.m. (ct) Friday for improper lane use. He was then arrested on charges of DUI, driving with a suspended license and improper lane use.

Robinson was released on a $3,000 recognizance bond last week and has a court date set for November 15.

"He used very poor judgment last week. He was out at 2:30 a.m. on a Friday morning before a Sunday game," Bears' Coach Dick Jauron said Wednesday. "Anything that causes us to be distracted from our goal is really not going to be tolerated on our football team."

Thu, 24 Oct 2002 20:51:45 GMT

ARRESTED: Jermaine Brooks, Arkansas Football

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Associated Press reports Arkansas tackle Jermaine Brooks was kicked off the team Wednesday, a day after city police arrested Brooks on charges he sold and possessed 10 1/2 pounds of marijuana in his off-campus apartment. Brooks was charged late Tuesday with felonies alleging drug possession, drug distribution and simultaneous possession of several rifles and handguns. Officers found $16,841 in Brooks' apartment and also arrested a woman who was there with him.

Police laid out cash, marijuana and a cache of weapons on a display table for reporters to view. Deputy prosecutor John Threet said that if convicted of simultaneous possession of drugs and a gun, Brooks could be punished by life in prison, though that would be rare in a marijuana case.

Thu, 24 Oct 2002 20:36:25 GMT

ARRESTED: Cosey Coleman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

TAMPA, Fla. -- Associated Press reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive lineman Cosey Coleman was released from jail Tuesday after being charged with beating the mother of his 8-month-old son outside a day care center. The 6-foot-4, 322-pound Coleman is accused of slapping the woman as she leaned into his car Monday. He then followed her to her vehicle and slapped her again as he held the child in his arms, Tampa police spokeswoman Katie Hughes said.

At one point the woman drove away, and when she returned, Coleman pushed, kicked and slapped her before pulling her out of the vehicle by her ankles, police said.

Fri, 18 Oct 2002 17:55:49 GMT

CHARGED: Kirby Puckett, Former MLB

MINNEAPOLIS -- Associated Press reports baseball Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett was charged Friday with dragging a woman into a restaurant bathroom last month and fondling her. The woman had bruises, and her ankle was swollen from hitting a door frame, according to the criminal complaint, which cited several witnesses. The former Minnesota Twins star was charged with a felony count of false imprisonment and a misdemeanor count of criminal sexual conduct. He could face a total of up to four years in prison and $8,000 in fines.

Wed, 16 Oct 2002 20:07:19 GMT

ARRESTED: Fred Pagac, Jr., Ohio State Football

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Beacon Journal reports Ohio State junior middle linebacker Fred Pagac Jr. has been suspended by Coach Jim Tressel for Saturday's game at Wisconsin after being arrested early Sunday morning for persistent disorderly conduct. According to the police report, Pagac was intoxicated and trying to fight another person outside a bar at Lane and High streets. When an officer told him to stop, he disregarded the order and was arrested at 3:45 a.m. The charge, a fourth-degree misdemeanor, carries a maximum sentence of 30 days in jail and a $250 fine.

Mon, 14 Oct 2002 22:17:41 GMT

CHARGED: Matt Hooper, Nebraska Baseball

LINCOLN, Neb. -- The Daily Nebraskan reports a Nebraska baseball player Matt Hooper was arrested on a charge of assault for fighting outside a bar last weekend. Lincoln Police Capt. David Beggs said officers were watching the bar crowd on O Street when they spotted Hopper, 22, and 21-year-old Peter M. Johnson fighting. Three officers tried to separate the two first by giving verbal commands and then by wrestling Hopper and Johnson to the ground, Beggs said. Hopper would not let go of Johnson and continued to hit him in the face, Beggs said. One officer used pepper spray to make Hopper let go of Johnson, he said.

Mon, 14 Oct 2002 22:12:24 GMT

TICKETED: Jammal Lord, Nebraska Football

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Associated Press reports Nebraska quarterback Jammal Lord was ticketed for disturbing the peace. The 21-year-old Lord and Greichaly Cepero, also an athlete at Nebraska, appeared to be drunk and were taken to a detoxification center early Sunday. Both were later released but never arrested, police spokeswoman Katherine Finnell said. Nebraska football coach Frank Solich said the citation does not require suspending Lord from any games, but some form of discipline may be necessary.

Mon, 14 Oct 2002 22:10:22 GMT

CHARGED: Marcus Fizer, Chicago Bulls

CHICAGO -- Associated Press reports Chicago Bulls forward Marcus Fizer was charged with having a loaded gun in his car and driving with a suspended license early Sunday morning. Illinois State Police Sgt. Wayne Winterberg said Fizer was pulled over just after 2 a.m. for having tinted windows on his sport-utility vehicle. Police then found Fizer was driving with a suspended license. While preparing to tow his car, police searched it and found a .40-caliber gun, Winterberg said.

Mon, 14 Oct 2002 22:05:24 GMT

CHARGED: Darren Hambrick, Cleveland Browns

BEREA, Ohio - Associated Press reports Cleveland Browns linebacker Darren Hambrick has been charged with stealing a check for about $5,700 from the Carolina Panthers. Hambrick is accused of stealing the money three weeks after joining the Panthers in October 2001, according to court records. He flew to Florida last week and surrendered to authorities, who had issued an arrest warrant for the fifth-year linebacker in August, just days before he signed with the Browns. He was released on $10,000 bail. Browns coach Butch Davis said the team did not plan to discipline Hambrick, their starting strongside linebacker.

Mon, 14 Oct 2002 22:00:39 GMT

CHARGED: Denis Arkhipov, Nashville Predators

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Associated Press reports Nashville Predators forward Denis Arkhipov was arrested on drunken driving charges after an exhibition game. Arkhipov, who led the Predators with 20 goals last season, was released after posting $1,000 bond Saturday night following Nashville's 2-0 victory over Columbus.

Mon, 07 Oct 2002 19:40:45 GMT

CHARGED: Sebastian Janikowski, Oakland Raiders

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Associated Press reports Oakland Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski was charged with driving under the influence, adding another chapter to his history of legal problems. Janikowski was stopped for speeding in Oakland early Wednesday and failed a sobriety test, police said Friday. His blood-alcohol level registered 0.20, more than twice the legal limit, police said.

Thu, 03 Oct 2002 21:10:52 GMT

CHARGED: Aaron Beasley, New York Jets

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Associated Press reports New York Jets cornerback Aaron Beasley has been charged with a misdemeanor of simple battery during a bar fight in Jacksonville on July 6. Hank Coxe, Beasley's attorney, said Tuesday the charge was filed against Beasley over the weekend when the Jets were in Jacksonville for Sunday's game with the Jaguars. Beasley, a former Jaguar, has a Nov. 25 court date in Duval County Court, but is not required to attend.

Desmond Harris, 24, of Jacksonville, told police Beasley punched him in the eye when he and Beasley were wrestling around in the parking lot outside the Voodoo Lounge.

Thu, 03 Oct 2002 21:07:18 GMT

ARRESTED: Freddie Bradley, Former NFL

OXNARD, Calif. -- Associated Press reports former San Diego Chargers running back Freddie Bradley was arrested for investigation of selling rock cocaine. Bradley, 32, and his wife Edith, 30, were arrested on Sept. 26 at his home after police served a search warrant and found packaged rock cocaine, weapons and money, Detective Mike Young said.

Bradley pleaded innocent Monday to three felony charges of possession for sale of cocaine and sale and transportation of a controlled substance. His wife pleaded innocent to one count of possession for sale of cocaine base, according to the Ventura County district attorney's office.

Thu, 03 Oct 2002 20:45:08 GMT

SURRENDER: New York Mets Employees

NEW YORK -- Associated Press reports a trusted New York Mets ex-team employee, three of his co-workers and two other suspects surrendered Thursday for allegedly stealing $2 million from the team between 1994 and 2000, Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown announced. Former Mets executive Russell Richardson, 46, of Hempstead, was identified as the reputed ringleader of the group. Richardson, who spent 17 years with the club, used his insider's position to illegally make $600,000, Brown said.

According to reports, the scams operated in a variety of ways. The simplest involved overbillling the Mets, like charging $50 for a $25 box of copy paper. The most complex involved the creation of a phony company that collected $350,000 for nonexistent computer and telephone equipment.

Richardson, the team's one-time director of technical services, faces up to 25 years in prison for alleged grand larceny, falsifying business records and other crimes. Co-defendant Haim Shaked, 47, of Brooklyn, a vendor who did business with the Mets, faced the same possible sentence as Richardson.

Wed, 02 Oct 2002 20:11:30 GMT

CHARGED: Pierre Pierce, Iowa Basketball

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Associated Press reports Iowa basketball player Pierre Pierce was arrested early Tuesday on a sexual assault charge and suspended from the team. Pierce pleaded innocent and was released. He agreed not to travel outside Iowa and Illinois. The charge stems from a report filed Sept. 7 by a woman treated at a hospital emergency room the day before. Police searched Pierce's home six days later.

Defense lawyer Maggi Moss said Pierce and the woman knew each other and that any sex was consensual.

Tue, 01 Oct 2002 22:03:21 GMT

CHARGED: Jay Cutler, Vanderbilt Football

NASHVILLE -- Tennessean reports Vanderbilt Coach Bobby Johnson suspended quarterback Jay Cutler indefinitely last night after the redshirt freshman was issued four misdemeanor citations, including underage consumption of alcohol and evading arrest, by university police.

According to a Vanderbilt University Police Department report, an officer spotted Cutler and another person allegedly ripping the handset off one of the school's emergency phones at around 2 a.m. yesterday. The report said when the officer called out, Cutler and the other person ran toward a nearby parking lot, where Cutler hid behind a car. Cutler ran again when the officer approached, the report said.

Cutler then ran into another officer who had been called in for assistance. Cutler tried to free himself before both officers forced him to the ground and handcuffed him, the report said. As Cutler was taken into custody the officers said they detected an odor of alcohol and charged him with underage consumption. Cutler turned 19 in April. The legal drinking age in Tennessee is 21.

Mon, 30 Sep 2002 22:30:13 GMT

ARRESTED: Kurt Thomas, New York Knicks

GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- Associated Press reports New York Knicks player Kurt Thomas was arrested on charges of assaulting his wife, and he did not accompany the team to training camp Monday. Thomas was arrested at his home in Greenwich, Conn., for third-degree assault and risking injury to a minor. Bail was set at $1,000, police said. No other details were released.

Mon, 30 Sep 2002 22:12:44 GMT

CHARGED: Carlos Luis Perez, Montreal Expos

MIAMI -- Palm Beach Post reports Carlos Luis Perez, the bullpen catcher for the Montreal Expos, asked Florida Marlins employees to place a padlocked bag containing a pound of marijuana aboard the Marlin's charter flight from Montreal before last Thursday's game in Montreal. When Marlins' video coordinator Cullen McRae and team equipment manager John Silverman opened the bag in Montreal, they found the marijuana and turned it over to police.

Perez, a native of Miami who still resides there, allegedly asked McRae to take the bag on the Marlins' flight and bring it to Pro Player Stadium, where Perez planned to retrieve it after the season ended, sources said. Perez is a former bullpen catcher for the Marlins. He was arrested Friday on charges of drug possession with intent to export. Canadian press reports, quoting police, said Perez, 23, had half a kilogram of marijuana in his possession when he was arrested at Olympic Stadium. He pleaded not guilty and was given conditional release after posting a $5,000 bond.

Marlins manager Jeff Torborg called the incident "frightening".