Felicia 'Snoop' Pearson, actress in 'The Wire,' arrested in Baltimore drug raid [Updated]
In an ironic twist of truth imitating fiction, Felicia "Snoop" Pearson, who gained acclaim for her portrayal of a ruthless drug assassin in HBO's landmark series "The Wire," was arrested Thursday in Baltimore during a drug raid by police.
The Baltimore Sun reported that Pearson was one of 60 persons arrested in the early morning raid by the Drug Enforcement Administration, which targeted a large-scale heroin and marijuana operation. The actress was taken into custody at a downtown apartment on a state warrant, police told reporters.
Pearson was widely praised in her role on the Baltimore-based series as an androgynous assassin who performed her lethal duties without emotion or remorse. Critics called Snoop one of the most terrifying and intriguing characters on TV.
"She's a real coldhearted person," Pearson said in a 2007 interview. "I love playing her."
The show marked a turnaround for Pearson, who was not a professional actress. She dealt drugs as a teen on the tough streets of Balitmore and eventually wound up in prison for killing a woman in self-defense.
She co-founded a nonprofit organization that worked with at-risk youth and also wrote a memoir, "Grace After Midnight." She had hoped to continue acting.
[Updated at 2:02 p.m.] David Simon, creator of "The Wire" released a statement on Slate, which reads in part:
"First of all, Felicia's entitled to the presumption of innocence. And I would note that a previous, but recent drug arrest that targeted her was later found to be unwarranted and the charges were dropped. Nevertheless, I'm certainly sad at the news today. This young lady has, from her earliest moments, had one of the hardest lives imaginable. And whatever good fortune came from her role in 'The Wire,' seems, in retrospect, limited to that project. She worked hard as an actor and was entirely professional, but the entertainment industry does not offer a great many roles for those who can portray people from the other America. There are, in fact, relatively few stories told about the other America.
Beyond that, I am waiting to see whether the charges against Felicia relate to heroin or marijuana. Obvously, the former would be, to my mind, a far more serious matter. And further, I am waiting to see if the charges of facts offered by the government reflect any involvement with acts of violence, which would of course be of much greater concern.
...Both our Constitution and our common law guarantee that we will be judged by our peers. But in truth, there are now two Americas, politically and economically distinct. I, for one, do not qualify as a peer to Felicia Pearson. The opportunities and experiences of her life do not correspond in any way to my own, and her America is different from my own. I am therefore ill-equipped to be her judge in this matter.
-- Greg Braxton
Photo: DEA agents escort Felicia "Snoop" Pearson away during a drug raid in which dozens were taken into custody Credit: Associated Press
wow! art imitating life? or i guess the other way around!
Posted by: Paul Roberson | March 10, 2011 at 01:34 PM
"She dealt drugs as a teen on the tough streets of Balitmore and eventually wound up in prison for killing a woman in self-defense."
They put you in prison for self defense? I don't think so. If it was truly self defense, it's a justified use of deadly force and you don't go to prison.
Posted by: JCS56AZ | March 10, 2011 at 01:53 PM
Some of you TV people are really naive - this street thug merely played herself which was quite easy for her to do - no acting skills needed - could never play any other type of part.
Posted by: Marlena | March 10, 2011 at 02:44 PM
I wouldn't mess with her. She is a good actress though.
Posted by: j | March 10, 2011 at 03:02 PM
I still remember the hardware store scene in the "wire"when she purchased a nail gun.
Posted by: clockerbob | March 10, 2011 at 03:26 PM
This is sad to see; I really did admire her for her ability to adapt to working in "hollywood" coming from her background. She was not the person that she portrayed in that character, and how naive of someone to think that simply because of her background. But that is the ignorance of people from the other America the writer spoke of.
Posted by: Ms.Inspiration | March 10, 2011 at 04:14 PM
@Paul Roberson
You must not be familiar with Marylands self defense laws (or lack thereof). The only way you can legally claim self defense is if you are able to take the weapon from the person who intended to use that weapon on you. (Good luck proving that). That being said I personally don't condone her or her lifestyle. I never liked her or her role on the wire.
Posted by: BGswanson | March 10, 2011 at 06:32 PM
I'm sorry my post was meant for JCS56AZ
Posted by: BGswanson | March 10, 2011 at 06:34 PM
Big difference between the drugs, so yeah, if it was for pot, BFD. Hopefully she's not having a smack issue.
Posted by: Julie | March 10, 2011 at 07:07 PM