In a statement issued yesterday, a S.C. sheriff said there is an investigation underway following the widely distributed photo of Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps apparently smoking marijuana from a water pipe, People.com reports, and charges could be pending. "If someone breaks the law in Richland County, we have an obligation aslaw enforcement to investigate and to bring charges," the statementsaid. "The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is making an effort todetermine if Mr. Phelps broke the law. If he did, he will be charged inthe same manner as anyone else. The Sheriff has a responsibility to befair, to enforce the law and to not turn a blind eye because someone isa celebrity." Phelps has apologized for the incident and admitted he exercised bad judgment.
Feb 4
2009
11:58 AM ET
Michael Phelps could face criminal charges over bong incident
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I think they are going after him merely for the fact that he is a celebrity. If an ordinary person like myself went to this sheriff with a picture of my friend smoking a bong they would laugh and tell me to go away, that they have real crime to solve. What about all of those people on facebook who are underage and drinking or smoking? Do the police go after all of them? NO! I am not positive, but in most states I don’t think smoking is a crime, its the posession that will get you. I think everyone just needs to leave him alone and let him do what he wants in his personal life.
Wonder if the sherrif will be going after anyone else in the photos, or just Phelps? Smells like a 15 Minutes of Fame hunter to me.
How can they charge the guy when the only evidence they have is a 3 month old picture with a bong? There wasn’t even smoke coming out of it…he could say he just posed for the picture or it was full of tobacco. They never caught him with drugs. What about the guy that packed the bong and handed it to him? If the picture was of any of the college kids there, it would be a non-issue. But they know exactly who Michael Phelps is. It’s definitely not turning a blind eye, that’s singling him out.
Drunk driving, pot smoking, what do we forgive him for next time?
you cant charge someone because there was a picture of it…you cant even tell if there is weed in it….you can only get charged if you are caught with it on you…….at least here in ALASKA you are aloud to smoke in the privacy of your own home and can have up 4oz for personal use!…..LEAVE MIKE ALONE!!!!!!
Geeze give the guy a break – he was a student in college and experimentation happens there – at least is wasn’t heroin or something along those lines – I mean even the president admitted to inhaling and he is still president – I say, give him a break – he knows he did wrong and at least he admitted to it