Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Letroy Guion was arrested for possession of marijuana on February 3, but he avoided prosecution and is able to resume his career in the NFL.
Guion Avoids Prosecution
“The criminal case against Green Bay Packers free-agent nose tackle Letroy Guion was closed Tuesday, according to his agent, and the veteran is now aiming to continue his NFL career,” relayed Tyler Dunne of JSOnline.com. Dunne continued with a statement from Guion’s agent, Seth Katz:
“The case was settled. Case closed,” Katz said. “Letroy’s relieved at this point. He’s relieved it’s behind him and he can focus on getting back to football.”
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Katz said Guion reached a plea deal Tuesday in which he paid a $5,000 fine, and as a first-time offender the charges were dismissed.
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“He’d absolutely love to be back in Green Bay, so we’re going to see if we can get something done,” Katz said.
The sides have had “very, very productive conversations,” the agent added.
On March 4, Rob Demovsky of ESPN reported on Guion’s agreement following his arrest for possession of marijuana:
Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Letroy Guion has agreed to a deferred prosecution agreement, which will result in probation, stemming from his arrest for felony marijuana and firearm possession last month, according to a source familiar with the case.
The deferred prosecution agreement will be signed in the next couple of weeks, the source said.
Guion will avoid serving any jail time but still could face discipline from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell under the league’s personal conduct policy.
Court Determines Police Had Probable Cause During Seizure of Truck
Demovsky reported on Feb. 20 the police were ruled to have probable cause to search Guion’s truck on the day of the incident:
A Florida court ruled on Friday that Starke, Florida, police had probable cause when they seized Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Letroy Guion’s 2015 Dodge Ram truck and $190,028.81 in cash earlier this month.
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In a four-page ruling, the Bradford County, Florida circuit court said “probable cause was established to authorize the continued seizure of the subject contraband.”
A source with knowledge of the legal situation said the criminal matter is close to being resolved and will include the return of his property.
On Feb. 23, Lisa Robbins of First Coast News provided a statement from Starke Police Chief Jeff Johnson:
People who deal drugs, they have no rules and a lot of money. Police departments, sheriff’s offices, they have a lot of rules and not a lot of money.
If we can prove it was either they benefited from the narcotics, the money comes from the narcotics, or it was being used to purchase narcotics.
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I hope he makes the right decisions from here on out, because he’ll be a very successful football player, because he’s good. He’s really good or he wouldn’t be where he’s at.
Police Seized Nearly 360 Grams of Weed, Over $190K, Gun from Guion
Letroy Guion is from Starke. Police say they seized almost 360 grams of weed, $190,000+ in cash, and a legally registered unloaded gun.
Robbins added, “Guion says the money found in his vehicle was earned from the Green Bay Packers. He says it wasn’t drug money.”
She also specified that the “Judge will issue order in Letroy Guion civil forfeiture case by the end of the week. No decision made today.”
Guion Arrested for Possession of Marijuana
Paul Imig of Fox Sports Wisconsin provided arrest details from the police report:
Jason Wilde of ESPN Wisconsin added more information on the arrest:
Starke, Fla. police found $190,028.81 in cash along with 9mm semi-automatic pistol and two Ziploc bags of marijuana when pulling over Guion.
ESPN’s Adam Caplan added that “Guion’s hand gun was unloaded in a box with a permit to carry in Minnesota. In addition, the $190,028.21 he was carrying was able to be connected to Guion’s bank accounts and was intended to help his family in Florida.”
Sarah Barshop of Sports Illustrated passed along a photo featured in the police report:
Guion was pulled over for failing to “maintain a single lane.” The officer “could smell a strong odor of marijuana” from car & searched it.
Wood and Weston Hodkiewicz provided more details on the charges:
According to the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office website, Guion is in the Bradford County Jail on the two charges and has a bond amount of $100,000. Both charges are felonies. A felony drug charge in Florida is for possession of more than 20 grams.
Guion has spent seven seasons in the NFL, originally being drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round in 2008. Last year was his first as a member of the Packers, playing all 16 games and setting career highs with 32 total tackles and 3.5 sacks.
The Packers signed Guion for one season, though a report by Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com also mentions the team was in discussions with the 27-year-old about a long-term deal.
