8 People Arrested In Connection With Michael Phelps Bong Pictures
Posted on 10. Feb, 2009 by CSS in Entertainment, Legal Drama, drugs
Michael Phelps isn’t the only one getting into trouble for his now infamous bong photo. The 23-year-old took responsibility for his actions and never denied that he was the one in the photo. However the county sheriff’s department that has jurisdiction over the home where the party was held definitely doesn’t think that’s enough, and they’re trying to go after Phelps. That’s resulted in a lot of outrage, with people pointing out that they weren’t arresting any of the other folks involved in drug use at the party. So now the sheriff’s department is remedying that as well, and has just arrested eight people connected to the bong photo.
New details have emerged about a party where Olympic champion Michael Phelps was spotted… The Richland County Sheriff’s Department has been taking a lot of heat from people in this country and all over the world. They want to know why Sheriff Leon Lott is going after Michael Phelps.
Many are saying the sheriff should concentrate on more serious crimes, or at the very least, not focus solely on the Olympic champion when there were others at the party who were also breaking the law.
Now it appears the case has expanded beyond Phelps’ activities. The party took place in November at a house on Blossom Street near Five Points. It was at that house where someone snapped the photo of Phelps taking a hit on a marijuana pipe called a bong. Lott says the picture indicated a law was being broken in his jurisdiction. He said he couldn’t ignore the violation just because Phelps is rich and famous.
We’ve now learned that since investigators began trying to build a case, they’ve made eight arrests: seven for drug possession and one for distribution. These are arrests that resulted as the sheriff’s department served search warrants.
We’ve also learned that the department has located and confiscated that bong. Sources say the owner of the bong was trying to sell it on eBay for as much as $100,000. The owner, who wasn’t even at the party, is one of the eight now charged. Phelps is not one of those charged at this point, but the sheriff’s department has strong evidence that matches the photo to the house on Blossom Street.
-From WIS News 10
When asked if he thought Phelps should be prosecuted, South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford told Fox News, “I don’t see what it gets at this point.” That’s a perfect summary of this whole thing. Most people have an opinion about pot, and I tend to understand both sides of the issue. But how does prosecuting anyone over this help?
Obviously the sheriff wants to send a message, but I can’t help but wonder if what he really wants is attention. There’s the whole issue that Phelps is supposed to be a role model – and again, that’s something you could argue either way. But in terms of criminal action, it seems excessive and unwarranted, not just in terms of Phelps but for everyone involved.
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