Police: Steelers' Holmes had pot during traffic stop
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Santonio Holmes faces a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge after police said they smelled burning marijuana and found marijuana-filled cigars known as blunts in his car during a traffic stop.
"He's going to be summoned," said police Sgt. R. Griffith, meaning Holmes was not arrested after the incident Thursday, but will instead receive notice of the charge in the mail.
Holmes, a 24-year-old, third-year player, didn't have his license when police stopped him about 4 p.m. near Mellon Arena.
Police stopped Holmes driving a dark sport utility vehicle with out-of-state license plates. Officers in the area had been alerted that a similar vehicle was believed to be carrying a large amount of drugs. Holmes' vehicle matched the general description but was not the one police were seeking, Griffith said.
Police said Holmes acknowledged having marijuana when stopped and pointed out the blunts to officers.
"We're aware of what happened and are still gathering information at this time and will not comment," Steelers spokesman Dave Lockett said Friday. Holmes and his agent could not immediately be reached.
Holmes has had two other run-ins with the law since the Steelers drafted him. In June 2006, he was charged with domestic violence in Columbus, Ohio. Those charges were dropped when the mother of one of his three children declined to help prosecute the case and prosecutors were assured that Holmes received anger management and domestic violence counseling through the NFL.
In May 2006, Holmes was arrested for disorderly conduct by police in Miami, who also later dropped the charges. Holmes is from Belle Glade, Fla.
The charge Holmes faces in Pittsburgh, possession of a small amount of marijuana, is punishable by up to a year in jail but probation or a fine is more likely in all but the most serious cases.
