Mike Tyson arrested on felony drug charges

[CanadianChris]

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/ne...tory?id=2713735

 

PHOENIX -- Mike Tyson was ordered released without bond on a felony drug possession charge Friday after an early-morning arrest in which Buckeye, Ariz., police said they found two bags of white powder in his back pocket.

Mike Tyson

AP Photo/Jack Kurtz

Police said Mike Tyson "showed signs of impairment" early Friday morning and voluntarily submitted to a field sobriety test.

 

"He admitted to using today and stated he is an addict and has a problem," according to a police probable cause statement filed in Maricopa County Superior Court. "Mike admitted to possessing bags of cocaine and said he uses any time he can get his hands on it."

 

Tyson was arrested early Friday, after nearly ramming a police SUV, on suspicion of driving under the influence and possession of cocaine when police stopped him shortly after he left a Scottsdale nightclub. According to the report, an officer saw Tyson trying to wipe a white powder off the console of his BMW as he approached.

 

In court Friday morning, the former heavyweight champ was dressed in an oversized golf shirt, baggy jeans and tennis shoes. He said nothing, periodically tapping his feet or fingers while waiting for the judge to enter. Tyson, who was not charged with DUI, did not enter a plea and had no lawyer.

 

He was scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Jan. 16.

 

No alcohol was found in his system, and a DUI-drugs charge was not filed pending toxicology tests.

 

Under the terms of his release, Tyson must submit to drug and alcohol testing and may not drink or take nonprescription drugs while the case is pending.

 

He refused comment as he left courtroom. The only comment he made while walking out of jail in the late morning was, "Good morning, Arizona."

 

Tyson, who shot to fame by knocking out Trevor Berbick in 1986 to become the youngest heavyweight champion in history at age 20, has had several run-ins with the law over the years, including serving prison time for rape. The most infamous incident was in the ring in 1997 when he bit Evander Holyfield's ear during a fight.

 

Sgt. Larry Hall said the boxer was stopped about 1:45 a.m. after his car almost struck a sheriff's vehicle while leaving the club.

 

"He showed signs of impairment and voluntarily submitted to field sobriety tests," said Hall, a member of the Buckeye Police Department who was working in the area as part of a holiday DUI task force.

 

Hall said the boxer was alone in the car.

 

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said Tyson ran a stop sign and almost hit a deputy.

 

"He had to slam on his brakes and take evasive action," Arpaio said of the officer. "Luckily, the deputy was alert."

 

While at the county jail, Arpaio said Tyson was isolated from other prisoners for his own safety.

 

The sheriff said Tyson has been to the county jail before -- as a guest talking to juvenile offenders about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

 

"The irony is he did a great job with these kids -- stay away from drugs, don't drink, stay out of trouble," Arpaio said.

 

Now, this doesn't surprise me completely -- nothing about Tyson surprises me anymore -- but I didn't think the next thing Iron Mike would be hitting the news for would be drugs.

[Guest]

Tyson is just a piss-stain on the sport of boxing. I used to enjoy his antics, but fuck him.

[Hawk 34]

I'm stunned he hasn't just killed himself yet.

[Guest Princess Leena]

Yeah. And he'll be in another fight sometime this year. And idiots will pay $50+ to watch him just because he's insane. I'd say he's more than a piss-stain for boxing... he's the main reason the sport is viewed by the public as an equal, or worse, to pro wrestling.

[Hawk 34]

Honestly, how has he not tried to get into MMA? Or has he? I think people could be sold that a crazy Tyson could murder someone in the cage.

 

It'd probably sell more since it's a different situation for Tyson and wouldn't be the same old song and dance.

[the max]

They should have him fight a bear. A grizzly or black bear.

 

That way, he can go out fighting, people can justify wasting money on another one of his fights, and he'll finally be out of the news.

[TheDevilAndGodAreRagingInsideMe]

Here's his mug from AP via Yahoo: