The Philadelphia Inquirer provided additional details behind the arrest of Reggie Redding on marijuana charges this week in an article published this morning. Here are the highlights:
"Redding is scheduled to appear before District Justice David Lang of Newtown Square on Aug. 20 on charges of possessing a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia - both misdemeanors.
The incident occurred at 1:51 a.m. Tuesday morning. He was arrested at the time by Radnor police and released.
Villanova security officers were investigating an incident involving a black car hitting a small pedestrian-crosswalk road sign on South Ithan Avenue. Radnor police were called to the scene by Villanova security officers. Villanova police were investigating a possible accident involving the sign and a dark sedan. Villanova Sgt. Brad Bergey saw a car matching the description backing into a parking space near St. Monica Hall. He noticed damage to a black Nissan Altima, which records indicated was registered to Redding. "It was obvious the sign and the damage [to the car] matched," said Rutty. Bergey also noticed a "clear bag containing a green leafy vegetable matter in the center cupholder" of the car, and a grinder.
Redding approached police at this time and identified himself as the owner of the car and said he had "just parked it at the current location." When asked, Redding turned over the materials, along with another small plastic bag of suspected marijuana in the car, to the officers. The materials field tested positive for marijuana.
Redding "was not impaired and was very cooperative with police and has never been in trouble before. He added Redding was very remorseful at the scene.
James Famiglio, Redding's attorney, said his client was in his dorm, saw the flashlights by his car, and came out. Redding, he said, is taking summer classes. "He has two separate procedures he needs to be concerned about," Famiglio said. "One is the legal system and one is Villanova. He is going to deal with them both head on."
We were curious how other universities handled student-athelete drug use or possession cases. The information is hard to find due to privacy laws, but here's what we found:
Notre Dame point guard Kyle McAlarney was suspended from school for one semester half way through his sophomore season after he was arrested when police discovered marijuana in his car last month during a routine traffic stop. He returned to Notre Dame six months later and rejoined the team.
Southern Illinois University Policy: After a first positive test for any socially used drug , the student-athelete must participate in a conference with his parents and the Director of Athletics …additional testing whenever the Athletics Program conducts testing over the next twelve months … suspended immediately for the next full day of athletic competition. Suspension from athletic contests does not relieve student-athlete from any other responsibility as a team member including, attendance at all practices … required to have an evaluation at the SIU Counseling Services office and comply with the recommendations of Counseling Services.
Michigan State University Policy: After a first positive test for any socially used drug, the student-athlete will be referred to a team physician for unannounced retesting and be required to participate in a counseling and/or treatment program selected by the team physician. In certain situations, depending on the nature of the drug used (e.g., cocaine or heroin) and the nature of the use, the student-athlete may also be suspended from the intercollegiate athletics program for a specified period of time. The suspension may result in the non-renewal of the student-athlete’s athletic scholarship or other grant in aid. The Head Team Physician will decide whether to suspend a student-athlete for a first positive after consultation with the student-athlete’s head coach. The Head Team Physician will also decide the duration of the suspension for a first positive test.
Kenyon University Policy: Any student-athlete found guilty of any criminal violation through any involvement with illegal drugs will be permanently ineligible for Kenyon athletics participation upon conviction. Such athletes will also be suspended from Kenyon athletics participation from the time of arrest until legal procedures result in acquittal or guilt.