Ex-Raider Marinovich held on drug charges - Los Angeles Times

Ex-Raider Marinovich held on drug charges - Los Angeles Times

Ex-Raider Marinovich held on drug charges
Carlos Chavez / LAT
Marinovich, seen in a 2001 photo, pleaded not guilty to felony and misdemeanor charges.
Newport Beach police say he was found carrying a small amount of methamphetamine -- a felony -- and paraphernalia. He pleads not guilty.
By Garrett Therolf, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer 11:49 AM PDT, August 29, 2007
Former USC and Los Angeles Raiders quarterback Todd Marinovich, who has been bedeviled with drug problems, today pleaded not guilty to felony and misdemeanor charges stemming from an arrest Sunday in Newport Beach.Police said they observed Marinovich, 38, skateboarding with a guitar case in hand about 1:15 a.m. Sunday near the Newport Pier boardwalk. Skateboarding is not allowed on the boardwalk, and Marinovich fled to a nearby home's carport.When police found Marinovich there, they searched him and discovered a small amount of methamphetamine, a metal spoon and a hypodermic needle, said Newport Beach Police Sgt. Evan Sailor.Marinovich was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance and unauthorized possession of a hypodermic needle and resisting a police officer, both misdemeanors. He is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail at Orange County Jail.Marinovich was known for being groomed almost from birth to play professional football. After leading USC to victory in the 1990 Rose Bowl, Marinovich became the Raiders' first-round pick in the 1991 draft. His career quickly fizzled, however, and he became better known for his drug arrests and lost potential.When Marinovich was arrested for drug possession in Newport Beach in 2005 -- his fifth drug arrest -- 23 of his college teammates put up money to help pay for drug treatment, allowing Marinovich to avoid jail time.Marinovich walked out of his residential treatment program in September 2005, violating his probation and sentence. He disappeared for three weeks before he surrendered to authorities and was returned to jail.