Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Letroy Guion was arrested Tuesday night on felony charges of possession of marijuana and a firearm, Florida police say.
The police department in Starke, Fla., issued the following release Wednesday:
"On Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at approximately 11:03 p.m. EST, a traffic stop was conducted on a 2015, Dodge Ram, truck for Failure to Maintain a Single Lane. The traffic stop was conducted in the vicinity of 2302 North Temple Ave. in Starke, Florida. As the officer was behind the vehicle, he reports that he could smell a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.
"The officer approached the driver’s side of the vehicle and observed the driver partially hanging out of the driver’s window. The driver then asked the officer if he knew who he was. Due to the driver’s behavior and due to the smell of marijuana, the officer asked the driver, who was later identified as Letroy Shelton Guion, Jr. to step out of the vehicle and called for back-up units.
"When asked if he had anything illegal in the vehicle such as weapons or narcotics, Mr. Guion disclosed that he had a firearm, registered to him, inside the vehicle. When backup units arrived, the officer initiated a search of the vehicle, due to his probable cause established by the Strong Odor of Marijuana coming from the interior of the vehicle. The officer quickly located Mr. Guion’s firearm which is described as a 9mm semi-automatic handgun.
"The officer continued the search after securing the firearm, and reports that Mr. Guion became 'extremely uncooperative and hostile'. The officer reports that Guion 'kept coming towards the vehicle several times saying 'hey man, my money is in there. Don’t let him take my money'. The officer reports that Guion then 'rushed' the driver’s side of the vehicle in an attempt to remove a black bag pack that was located on the front passenger seat of the vehicle. Mr. Guion was then secured in hand cuffs for officer safety.
"After Mr. Guion’s attempt to remove the black bag pack, the officer observed that the bag was half unzipped. Inside the bag the officer observed a large bag containing a green leafy substance that appeared to be marijuana. The officer then opened the black bag pack and observed a large plastic bag containing two clear gallon Ziplock bags, both containing the green leafy substance appearing to be marijuana. Substance samples from each bag were individually tested with a KN Reagent Marijuana test kit and tested positive for marijuana. Mr. Guion was then placed under arrest for felony possession of Marijuana, due to the weight of the marijuana being more than 20 grams. He was additionally charged with possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony. The bags were weighed at 190 grams and 167 grams for a total weight of 357 grams of marijuana.
Letroy Guiton mug shot after his arrest.
"As the officer continued searching the black bag pack, he located a total of $190,028.81 in US Currency in the middle pocket of the bag.
"Due to the currency being located in the same bag as the large quantity of marijuana, the currency was seized and secured. The vehicle was towed and secured. Mr. Guion was provided with a notice of forfeiture and property receipt. The firearm, marijuana, and additional evidence were secured in evidence."
A Packers spokesman said Wednesday morning, "We are aware of a serious matter involving Letroy Guion. We have not yet spoken to Letroy and we will have no further comment."
Guion is the first Green Bay player to be arrested since former outside linebacker Erik Walden was jailed over Thanksgiving weekend in 2011.
Guion signed a one-year, $1 million contract with Green Bay last offseason and turned in a very productive 2014 season. Guion, 27, who spent his first six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, posted career highs with 3.5 sacks and 32 tackles in his first season with the Packers.
Guion, who is an unrestricted free agent had expressed strong interest in continuing his career in Green Bay, and the Packers had eyes on bringing him back for at least one more season. Now, however, Guion's charges could dissuade the publicly-owned franchise from agreeing to any new contract with him.
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Marijuana, firearm and currency seized from Letroy Guion.
