2008 Woodie Awards
2 more Hawkeyes charged
Kurtis Hiatt - The Daily Iowan
Issue date: 2/25/08 Section: Metro
Two more Hawkeye football players have been suspended indefinitely, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said on Sunday - a day after police accused the pair of drug possession.
The charges add to a year riddled with legal problems.
"I was very disappointed to learn the news of the most recent incident involving two of our players," Ferentz said in a statement.
The UI police arrested James Cleveland, a redshirt freshman and wide receiver, Feb. 23 at 3:01 a.m. on two counts of unlawful possession of prescription drugs after allegedly finding 21 doses of oxycodone - a pain reliever - and 24 doses of carisoprodol - a muscle relaxant - in Cleveland's desk. He reportedly admitted the pills were his, and he did not have a prescription or label for either of the drugs.
He is also charged with drug-tax stamp violation, a felony, authorities reported.
( Daily Iowan TV video feature )
Fellow Hawkeye and redshirt freshman and quarterback Arvell Nelson is accused of possession of marijuana after police allegedly found marijuana on top of his desk and arrested him at 2:41 a.m. on Feb. 23, reports showed.
The players - both 19 and roommates in N101 Hillcrest - were taken to Johnson County Jail. As of Sunday afternoon, they were not being held there.
Ferentz said university officials will not make a decision on the two until they look at the facts of the alleged incident.
"It's especially disheartening, because we made it such a major point of emphasis with our players since the end of last season," he said.
The two incidents add to a long list of offenses for the football team.
Since April 2007, including Nelson and Cleveland's most recent alleged incident, police have cited or arrested at least 14 Hawkeyes, who have racked up 26 criminal charges among them, according to police and online court records.
The charges add to a year riddled with legal problems.
"I was very disappointed to learn the news of the most recent incident involving two of our players," Ferentz said in a statement.
The UI police arrested James Cleveland, a redshirt freshman and wide receiver, Feb. 23 at 3:01 a.m. on two counts of unlawful possession of prescription drugs after allegedly finding 21 doses of oxycodone - a pain reliever - and 24 doses of carisoprodol - a muscle relaxant - in Cleveland's desk. He reportedly admitted the pills were his, and he did not have a prescription or label for either of the drugs.
He is also charged with drug-tax stamp violation, a felony, authorities reported.
( Daily Iowan TV video feature )
Video in QuickTime format, click here for free player download
Fellow Hawkeye and redshirt freshman and quarterback Arvell Nelson is accused of possession of marijuana after police allegedly found marijuana on top of his desk and arrested him at 2:41 a.m. on Feb. 23, reports showed.
The players - both 19 and roommates in N101 Hillcrest - were taken to Johnson County Jail. As of Sunday afternoon, they were not being held there.
Ferentz said university officials will not make a decision on the two until they look at the facts of the alleged incident.
"It's especially disheartening, because we made it such a major point of emphasis with our players since the end of last season," he said.
The two incidents add to a long list of offenses for the football team.
Since April 2007, including Nelson and Cleveland's most recent alleged incident, police have cited or arrested at least 14 Hawkeyes, who have racked up 26 criminal charges among them, according to police and online court records.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 23
brennan
posted 2/25/08 @ 6:55 AM CST
Wait, back up a couple steps... WHY were they allowed to search his room??? What reasonable suspicion did they have to search the room? Was there a smoke smell? An informant/snitch?? You would think Fball players would get all the oxycodone they need, since they are constantly bruised and battered. (Continued…)
Rog
posted 2/25/08 @ 7:24 AM CST
The Iowa football program reminds me of another program, "America's Most Wanted." There is only one person to be held accountable--the coach. Ferentz has recruited a bunch of thugs, as usual. (Continued…)
Robert Fowler
posted 2/25/08 @ 8:22 AM CST
OK, Let's see the hands of anyone that's suprised.
Craig
posted 2/25/08 @ 9:27 AM CST
Everyone knows people that for one misbegotten reason or other get involved with drugs. I never have understood what makes these folk tick, or just what is the allure of drugs. (Continued…)
R.T. Surface
posted 2/25/08 @ 9:50 AM CST
This type of activity is going on at colleges and Universities across the Nation; just do a little checking. While it is not acceptable behavior and should be handled properly----it is not our coach's or our University of Iowa's fault. (Continued…)
Joe
posted 2/25/08 @ 11:42 AM CST
Are you kidding me? People forget that Ferentz recruited for 9 years without problems, and one bad year. PLUS, he doesn't do most of the recruiting contrary to what most of you believe. (Continued…)
Steve Davis
posted 2/25/08 @ 12:20 PM CST
I'm sorry but having a little weed in your dorm room hardly qualifies for being labeled a "thug" or even a criminal.
It's college...and Iowa City of all places! How many dorm rooms in the United States have reefer in them? Five million???
Cut the kid a break, the other meds may be a different story, but this is bull crap. (Continued…)
Tony Navickas
posted 2/25/08 @ 2:49 PM CST
Since when did Alford become the coach of The Iowa Foootball Program?
Walt Disney
posted 2/25/08 @ 3:39 PM CST
If you think weed is a drug (and smoking it a clear display that one is a "thug"), you're living in an ignoramus' world. It's a plant. In fact, it's like a dandelion. (Continued…)
Steve
posted 2/25/08 @ 4:51 PM CST
The PC and Gazetter are reporting the players consented to the search.
Post a Comment