Marijuana charges filed against Steelers running backs
Le'Veon Bell, LeGarrette Blount stopped on McKnight Road in Ross Township
Steelers running backs Le'Veon Bell and LeGarrette Blount were charged with possession of marijuana Thursday. Bell was also charged with driving under the influence.
Ross Township police said Bell, 22, and Blount, 27, were stopped about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday on McKnight Road, near the Ross Shops plaza that houses Pool City, Honeybaked Ham and the Harbor Freight stores.
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Police said a motorcycle officer smelled marijuana coming from a black Camaro driven by Bell and pulled the vehicle over. Police said, inside car, the officer found a bag with an estimated 20 grams of marijuana.
Bell, Blount and a second passenger, identified as 21-year-old Mercedes Dollson, of California, "admitted to collectively possessing the bag of marijuana," police said.
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According to the police criminal complaint that Pittsburgh's Action News 4 obtained, the officer "asked Bell if he, or any of his passengers, smoked marijuana today and he replied, 'It was about a minute ago.' I asked him if he could define what he meant by that and he replied, 'We smoked within the last two hours.'
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The complaint also states that: "Police told Bell because he was smoking he could not operate the car and could possibly be DUI, to which Bell replied, 'I didn't know you could get a DUI for being high. I smoked two hours ago. I am not high anymore. I am perfectly fine. Why would I be getting high if I had to get on a plane to make it to my game?' The officer asked him what was his game and he said, 'I have to be on a plane at three to be in Philadelphia, I play for the Steelers.'
Bell was taken to UPMC Passavant for a blood test. All three individuals were cooperative, police said.
Several people who work in the plaza saw the police activity.
"When I got and parked, I seen there was two police officers, and a K-9 unit and two vehicles parked there behind me at the entrance coming in," said witness Linda Maga.
Like many people who witnessed the police, Maga said she had no idea who was inside the car.
"I heard they were two Steelers and I was like, 'Oh my God,' and they play tonight. How sad," Maga said. "I mean, they should know better."
Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten said the team was aware of the reports and is still gathering information. Both players dressed for the team's third preseason game Thursday night in Philadelphia.
Bell is in his second season with the Steelers. Blount joined the team in the offseason as a free agent.