Law enforcement looking into Michael Phelps incident

Michael Phelps could face criminal charges in South Carolina as a result of the bong picture.

Sgt. Kim Myers, a spokesperson for the Richland County, S.C., Sheriff's Dept., on Tuesday confirmed that the incident is under investigation by the department's narcotics division.

The Feb. 2 edition of the British tabloid News of the World had a picture of Phelps sucking on a glass pipe of a type generally used to inhale cannabis, an illegal drug, at a party that reportedly took place Nov. 6 in Columbia, S.C.

Myers declined to elaborate on an investigation in progress.

Phelps' management company, Octagon, had issued a statement on his  behalf Sunday that pointedly did not dispute the accuracy of the picture.

In the statement, Phelps called his behavior "regrettable'' and said he acted in a "youthful and inappropriate way'' but did not mention the pipe or what was in it.

The Associated Press has characterized Leon Lott, the Richland County sheriff as being "known for his tough stance on drugs.''

And, on its web site, thestate.com, a Columbia, S.C, newpaper, reported that Lott would charge Phelps -- if he determines that the Olympic champion swimmer had smoked marijuana in Richland County.

"This case is no different than any other case,'' Lott told the newspaper.  "This one might be a lot easier since we have photographs of someone using drugs and a partial confession.  It's a relatively easy case once we can determine where the crime occurred.''

Possession of marijuana is a misdemeanor, punishable in South Carolina by up to 30 days in jail or a $570 fine, plus court costs, the newspaper said.

-- Philip Hersh

Comments

[Mary]

This is ridiculous. Leave the kid alone.

[Harris]

Not likely. This is just a megalomaniac sheriff grasping at media attention. We have a sheriff like that in Arizona as well. This would make for the weakest case on the weakest illegal substance in quite some time, and whatever lawyers Phelps could hire would send this sheriff home crying in his spitcup.

[from NC]

Mary, I think that you are wrong. It does not seem that the Sheriff was looking for the spotlight or relishing in it. He was quoted in his hometown newspaper, only (not on some other outlet). Columbia, SC is no Los Angeles. They are extremely serious about drug violations and yes, even Marijuana. Just like the sherif said; it will be treated like any other case. I study Criminal Justice and NC and SC law and, I would almost guarantee that, if Phelps admits that it was Marijuana that he was smoking, he will be fined. He could also plead out and do some community service in SC, as well and never have to set foot in court. He'll get something though.

[Phil]

How could he get arrested for possession? They can't do anything unless they actually find him with it. What would be the amount charged? The weight of the photo?

[airplane]

Phelps need do what the elected boys in washington would do. CHECK IN TO REHAB that always works at 72 years old a nonsmoker, nondrinker, nondopper.I take this as a grain of salt, not a big deal, he is young and has to touch many bases. In fact if it would do for me what it did for him, i may git some, if it works you will know it. i will be the old guy passing everone at the IRONMAN contest, SMOKIN SOMPEN,WIT A BIG SMILE ON MY FACE. Let up folks he is a swimmer, not the pope.

[Jessica]

I know all different people from all different walks of life. I know lawyers, school officials, professionals, diesel mechanics all the way down to a door greeter at my local Wal-Mart. People smoke pot and have been for how long? If you honestly think that the person next to you hasn't or isn't going to go home and lite up you are sadly misinformed and mistaken. It is seeping into the fabric of life in this country and that's what should be the issue not a 23 yr old kid doing what 23 yr old kids do. The fact that he may be a "role model" is up to parents and individuals to decide. He made a decision and now he'll live with it, who are we to sit back in our anonymous computer chairs and pass judgement?

[Jacob]

I think his sponsors should be pulled!! He's suposed to be a role model not a drug addict!!! He should know this!!

[Kaci]

I think it would be ridiculous for them to criminally prosecute Phelps based on that picture. Sure, he is obviously holding a glass tube to his mouth, but that’s all you can see in the picture. That’s not really sufficient evidence for a trial. If they do decide to prosecute, it’s going to set a whole new precedent on what’s considered permissible evidence. It’s not like he was caught in the act by police. I mean, think of all the pictures and videos people have on their Facebooks, MySpaces, YouTube accounts, etc. Are the police going to be able to just look up anyone’s Facebook, find pictures of people doing illegal things, and use that to arrest them?
This is absolute nonsense. This amount of attention being paid to a 23 year old kid who may or may not have smoked some weed is ungodly. If it weren’t for the fact that he won multiple gold medals at the Olympics, no one would care about this at all.
If anything, the fact that he can win 8 gold medals and still get high every now and then speaks very highly of the fight against the stupid war on marijuana. Clearly it doesn’t make you as useless as they say, no?

[cphilips]

Lock him up!
If a court determines he broke the law, he must pay the penalty.

[Houston]

This is ridiculous! The boy smoked some pot. Who cares? Shouldn't they be going after TRUE criminals? What a waste of time and resources. Good to know law enforcement in South Carolina has their priorities straight.

[Celina]

This would not be a big of deal if it was some other kid wjo alledly smoked pot. I am sure there were other people at his party who did more or worse. Could we just le the celebrties alone. I stil think Michael sposer shoul sponser him. People make mistaes all the time and do not apologize. At least he apologized for doing something that most people do every day, and don't think twice.

[betty]

i think he should not have did what he did, and I think we should let him take that up with GOD, and i kind of feel that he should not be punished for what he did it was a long time ago, and he got caught, we all look at him in a different light now, and now we know he isn't some type or invincible god, he is a young man trying to do what a lot of people do, they just didn't get caught. Besides i think that the sheriff is trying to make a dollar out of 15 cents

[Chris]

The fact that this is even being discussed in as great detail as it is, is proof that we as Americans find it necessary to knit-pick those people we hold as "idols"'s lives apart. That picture never should have been taken in the first place because it was a violation of Mike's Privacy as a human being. I bet everybody else that was smoking the bong with him that night all remained anonymously off the film/memory card. The kid who took a picture of a "national hero" taking a bong hit is really where the focus should be. The fact that our every move is being filmed so that it can be held against us later should OUTRAGE every single person. It's bad enough for everyday citizens, but for these professional spotlight dwelling athelete's, movie stars, musicians...etc that are constantly bombarded with having their own actions thrown back in their faces and discussed by a bunch of faceless lunatics(myself included). It would and should be enough to drive even the strongest amongst us to just seek refuge from that spotlight. In this situation I can more than guarantee that Phelps was trying to take a night off and because of some assclown that wanted to make a few bucks, a night off turned into hassle. I know the feeling myself and it leaves one feeling really violated. This shouldn't be an issue for Phelps, this should be an issue of privacy, and how little of it we have left.

[kt]

yea, its dissapointing that he smoked some weed, but that only shows that he is only human like the rest of us. you cant even tell me that all these people who are saying they should throw him in jail have never lit up before. everyone has done it. yea hes a role model for alot of young children... i have posters of him all over my room, but everyone makes mistakes. if he wasnt so famous, no one would be making such a big deal about it. i think everyone should just accept his apology and let it go.

[Harold]

Michael was an icon to us swimmers. He set so many amazingly good examples, DON't give him a break, I once loved him, I had posters and pictures of him on my wall, they are gone now. He needs to be punished, he has let all of us swimmers down.

[alayna jackson]

oh my gosh are you kidding me?? whoever wrote "he should be a role model not a drug addict" is completely ridiculous.... yeah i'm sure this incident means michael phelps is clearly a drug addict. get a grip people.
i love michael phelps and will continue to look up to him for his amazing acheivements!!

[Angel]

What Michael Phelps does in private is his own business and not the media or anyone else's. Who the eff are you guys to judge him? Yeah he may be a role model for some young children but he never asked to be. He only excelled in a sport he loved. He did not win the national role models contest. And what about the real life role models kids have? You can't tell me THEIR absolutely perfect. We should be blaming the stupid people who published the picture in the first place. Of course if you place someone on a microscope they will have dust on them.

[aninterestedreader]

"a role model not a drug addict" you are really naive. I would wager money that every single celebrity you have ever idolized has engaged in some form of illegal substance. Their only difference is that they didn't get caught. And who says he has to be a role model? He's just a dude that happens to be really good at swimming. What's so special about that. People put too much emphasis on athletic ability in today's society.

[Heath]

Pac Man Jones goes to clubs and shoots people and gets into fights at least once a month. He was also tied to a major drug dealer in Nashville. He got off everytime. Ray Lewis killed someone. He got off. They want to charge Phelps for possibly smoking pot? This is something almost everybody has done at least once in there life. There isn't even any proof he actually did it. It's a picture for crying out loud.

[Anonymous]

i think that alot of people are taking this pretty far. I mean c'mon sure he made some poor choices but you see people walking up and down the street and for all you know they could go home after work and a smoke a bowl. so just because a picture of someone famous got out means we all have to suck it in?.....sounds like just a bunch of people DRAMA hungry to me. I mean seriously what if you saw your neighbor doing that, you take a picture and post it on your myspace and people are going to comment " hey lets hang out" but just because Phelps is always in the paper we treat it like something big!! leave the poor guy alone people.