On behalf of Dickman Law Offices, P.S.C. posted in Drug Charges on Monday, April 30, 2012
In January, we reported how a National Football League wide receiver had been charged with drug trafficking in Kenton County, Kentucky. Coming off of his best season in the NFL, Jerome Simpson was facing up to five years in prison after a grand jury indicted him on one count of marijuana trafficking in excess of eight ounces.
However, the football player’s situation has turned around as he was sentenced earlier this month to a mere 15 days in jail along with three years of probation, 200 hours of community service and a fine of $7,500 plus court costs. Additionally, it was reported last week that Simpson was signed with the Minnesota Vikings.
A spokesman for the Vikings said that the team was choosing to stand behind Simpson even despite the criminal charges because they believed in his character as a person and athlete. The spokesman said that Simpson’s on-field potential outweighed any concern that he might get into trouble off the field.
Authorities began investigating Simpson, who formerly played for the Cincinnati Bengals, after a package containing two-and-a-half pounds of marijuana was allegedly shipped to his Kentucky home in September 2011. Authorities also claimed to find an additional six pounds of the drug when they searched the football player’s home.
Not charged initially, a grand jury indicted Simpson based on the evidence that was gathered in the police investigation. Simpson then entered a plea agreement in March and pleaded guilty to a prohibited act relating to controlled substances, which is a lesser charge.
The Vikings spokesman said that Simpson will also serve a three-game suspension, pursuant to the standard league penalty for substance abuse violations.
Source: Associated Press, “Vikings sign flashy wide receiver Jerome Simpson, who was just convicted on felony drug charge,” April 26, 2012
Posted in: Criminal Defense, Drug Charges