Jolly indicted on drug charges

A grand jury in Harris County, Texas has indicted Packers defense end Johnny Jolly for possession 200-400 grams of codeine.  It’s a second degree felony with a sentence between 2 and 20 years if convicted.  Jolly is a first time offender and would be eligible for probation.  The Houston Police Department purchased new equipment to test codeine and employees had to receive training for cases to proceed.  That’s why the first trial was pushed back multiple times and dismissed.  Jolly was arrested on July 8th, 2008 after police officers smelled codeine in a soda bottle and two cups in his vehicle.  Jolly along with two other individuals were arrested. 

According the probable cause affidavit in the case:
• A semi-automatic weapon was found on the floor in front of one passenger, Clifton Dallas, now 22. He was charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon. The charges were later dismissed.
• Marijuana was found on another passenger, Purvis Lee, now 23. He was arrested and later pleaded guilty to possession. Another passenger was released at the scene.
• The officers found a Dr Pepper bottle in the left cup holder of the center console next to two Styrofoam cups containing soda and ice. The officers said the cups and the bottle all emitted strong odors of codeine.

The original trial was supposed to begin March 27th, but was pushed back to June 26th.  Then it was moved back three more weeks to July 17th, to take care of cases in which defendants were in custody.  The case was dismissed before the July date and here we are again.  Jolly’s status for the rest of the 2009 season is safe, but how this factors into the 2010 season is far off.

Tags: Johnny Jolly, Packers