Feds: Home of Bengals' Simpson a pot distribution center NFL.com Published: Sept. 21, 2011 at 11:37 p.m. Updated: Sept. 22, 2011 at 06:09 a.m.
Police said a package containing 2 1/2 pounds of marijuana was delivered from Eureka, Calif., to the suburban Kentucky home of Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Jerome Simpson on Tuesday, where authorities say they conducted a search and found six more pounds of marijuana inside.
Michelle Gregory, spokeswoman for the California Department of Justice, confirmed to the Cincinnati Enquirer a report published by CaliforniaWatch.org, a group of investigative journalists, on Wednesday night, which detailed the operation. It was initiated by a special marijuana task force after agents discovered a suspicious package at a commercial sorting facility in Sacramento.
Simpson's teammate, offensive tackle Anthony Collins, was also present when a woman, identified as Aleen Smith, 27, accepted the package on Tuesday. All three were questioned at the residence, but no arrests were made at the time.
Simpson told police that he lived at the residence and gave officers consent to search the premises, Gregory said. Police allegedly found other empty parcels, scales and packaging material inside Simpson's home.
"The house was set up as a potential distribution network," said Tommy LaNier, head of the National Marijuana Initiative, a group that is funded by the Office of National Drug Control Policy and helps coordinate marijuana enforcement operations around the United States. "They had it all set up to receive supplies of high-grade marijuana from Northern California, and from there, it was being distributed from that residence," LaNier told California Watch.
All the packages were sent from an area of Northern California known as the "Emerald Triangle," LaNier said. The area is known for producing large amounts of marijuana.
Bengals spokesman Jack Brennan said he had heard rumors of the bust but had no further comment.
"There’s nothing of substance in the development of rumors that we’re aware of," he said. "There’s nothing to hang a hat on at this point."
Simpson had four catches for 136 yards last week in a 24-22 loss to the Denver Broncos.
It was initiated by a special marijuana task force after agents discovered a suspicious package at a commercial sorting facility in Sacramento.
I wonder what made the package suspicious?
The smell leaking out of it perhaps?
I would think that someone shipping marijuana illegally across state lines would take the smell into account. That only leaves me with suspicions of my own about how the mail is being "scrutinized" by the authorities.
Andre Carter wrote:Damn man, you know your football.
I coached against this kid in high school in North Carolina. He was special and I was routing for him to be successful. I hope this is something he knew nothing about.
COVINGTON, Ky. (AP) -- Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Jerome Simpson was sentenced Thursday to 15 days in jail and three years' probation on a drug-related charge.
A judge in Covington reduced the jail time from the 60 days recommended by prosecutors in their plea agreement with Simpson, now an unrestricted free agent after four seasons with the Bengals.
Simpson pleaded guilty March 1 to the felony charge resulting from about 2 pounds of marijuana shipped to his northern Kentucky home in September. He was indicted on a felony charge of marijuana trafficking, but the plea agreement changed the charge to a prohibited act relating to controlled substances, also a felony.
Simpson, clad in a dark suit, took the stand briefly and apologized to his family, the community and his team.
"I take full responsibility for my actions," he said. He also told the judge that he thinks that "because of this I am a better person."
Simpson told the judge that he would try through community service to help others not to make the same mistake.
Several people testified at the hearing on his behalf, including his agent and a woman who works with him as a volunteer at a church in Covington that feeds the homeless and needy. They praised Simpson for his community service, a point that the judge noted in his remarks before sentencing.
Judge Gregory Bartlett of Kenton County Circuit Court said that he was impressed with the testimony and letters sent to him on Simpson's behalf. He said Simpson appears to be "a good person" who made a "serious lapse in judgment."
But despite the community service Simpson was doing long before he was charged, he still committed a felony, the judge said.
`We can't ignore that," the judge said.
Both the prosecutor and the judge said that they don't believe Simpson was trafficking in marijuana but that it was for the use of him and probably his friends.
"I don't think that Mr. Simpson was selling drugs on the street," said Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders, who added that was satisfied with the sentence, noting that Simpson had no prior criminal record.
The judge agreed to the defense request to allow Simpson to wait until 6 p.m. to turn himself in at the jail. Simpson also will have to serve 200 hours of community service, undergo drug testing and pay a $7,500 fine plus court costs.
He had been under investigation since agents from California tracked the package shipped to his home. They said it contained 2 1/2 pounds of marijuana. Authorities said a search of Simpson's home turned up one more pound of marijuana.
Simpson did not comment after the hearing. His attorney, Burr Travis said that they were disappointed that he got any jail time at all, "but that was the judge's call."
"It's fair overall," said Travis.
Simpson was a second-round draft pick from Coastal Carolina. He caught 53 passes for 758 yards and four touchdowns last season. A heels-over-head flip over a defender to score a touchdown became a staple of NFL highlight films.
Still looking at atleast 4 games from the League
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When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hold on....
