Covering the Corner - Chris Perez arrested, charged for marijuana possessionCleveland Baseball: A team that's accomplished some things.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52871/Covering_The_Corner_Favicon-ICO..png2013-06-07T13:28:59-04:00http://www.coveringthecorner.com/rss/stream/41629232013-06-07T13:28:59-04:002013-06-07T13:28:59-04:00Hoynes: Package addressed to Perezes' dog
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/niJDU94c1Gw7q3G5gYoAyFkQ6qE=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47827951/large_letsgotribe.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Paul Hoynes has the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2013/06/indians_closer_chris_perez_wif.html#incart_m-rpt-2">complete details</a> on how the police caught on to the suspicious package, including the addressee:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Police said they searched the house after officials at the Rocky River post office said they discovered two packages that smelled like marijuana. After a police dog indicated there could be an illegal substance in them, law enforcement got a search warrant.</p>
<p>[snip]</p>
<p>According to the report, at around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday an undercover officer dressed as a postal carrier <b>delivered the packages, addressed to Brody Baum at the Parklane address. Brody is the name of the Perez dog. Baum is Melanie Perez's maiden name.</b></p>
</blockquote>
https://www.coveringthecorner.com/2013/6/7/4406720/hoynes-package-addressed-to-perezes-dogRyan2013-06-07T10:41:07-04:002013-06-07T10:41:07-04:00Chris Perez hit with drug possession charge
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/bkd_6SjXk46VD2zfE9fIHNsujxE=/0x551:2666x2328/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/14370225/169132537.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jason Miller</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Perez and his wife have been charged with misdemeanor drug possession.</p> <p><a href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Indians</a> closer <span>Chris Perez</span> and his wife have been charged with misdemeanor drug possession.</p>
<p>Earlier this week the story broke that Perez was being investigated for allegedly having had drugs delivered to his home. <a href="http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/oh_cuyahoga/indians-pitcher-chris-perez-wife-charged-after-package-of-marijuana-delivered-to-home" target="_blank">Cleveland's ABC News Channel 5 now reports charges have been brought.</a> The charges apply to both Perez and his wife Melanie, after a search warrant was served at their home in Rocky River and 164 grams of marijuana (a little over a third of a pound) were found. Perez and his wife have been released on bond and will be arraigned on the morning of Wednesday, June 19.</p>
<p>The couple rents a home that had previously been connected with illegal drugs, leaded some to speculate that this was some sort of misunderstanding, but local police clearly do not feel that to be the case and have said that the previous owners are not being investigated in connection with this situation.</p>
<p>[Update]:</p>
<p>Paul Hoynes has details on the arrest, including<a target="_blank" href="http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2013/06/indians_closer_chris_perez_wif.html#incart_m-rpt-2"> the addressee</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Inside one of the Priority Mail packages mailed from Los Angeles was 6.2 ounces of marijuana concealed in four separate Ziplock bags, which were in two containers wrapped in a shirt, according to the postal inspector report. The second package had 3.45 ounces in two Ziplock bags, two containers and wrapped in a white towel. The bags were coated in Vaseline, the report said.</p>
<p>According to the report, at around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday an undercover officer dressed as a postal carrier delivered the packages, addressed to Brody Baum at the Parklane address. Brody is the name of the Perez dog. Baum is Melanie Perez's maiden name.</p>
</blockquote>
https://www.coveringthecorner.com/2013/6/7/4405976/mlb-cleveland-indians-news-chris-perez-charged-with-drug-possessionJason Lukehart2013-06-06T06:39:00-04:002013-06-06T06:39:00-04:00Frmr owner of house has history of drug arrests
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/niJDU94c1Gw7q3G5gYoAyFkQ6qE=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47827951/large_letsgotribe.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Ron Regan of WEWS <a target="_blank" href="http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/investigations/Former-homeowner-at-Cleveland-Indians-Chris-Perez-house-has-long-history-of-drug-deals">reports</a> on the former owner of the house that Chris Perez now rents:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>The former homeowner of the Rocky River home being rented by Cleveland Indians reliever Chris Perez has a long history of drug arrests and convictions.</p>
<p>Raymond George, 61, was involved in two federal drug investigations since 2010 and has a prior criminal record of drug arrests.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>It is entirely possible that Perez was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and this information would give more credence to that defense.</p>
https://www.coveringthecorner.com/2013/6/6/4399210/police-previous-residents-of-houseRyan2013-06-05T16:38:06-04:002013-06-05T16:38:06-04:00Video: Rocky River police press conference
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/niJDU94c1Gw7q3G5gYoAyFkQ6qE=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47827951/large_letsgotribe.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WEQQxUpA95s?list=UUAAmkc2sRESFoEtiKRTaTRA" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe> <br id="1370464336971"></p>
<p>Via WEWS, here's the press conference held by the Rocky River police department regarding the Chris Perez investigation.</p>
<p>Since this press conference, the package seized from the Perez residence was found to contain marijuana.</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Substance contained in package confirmed to have been marijuana. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23chrisperez">#chrisperez</a></p>
— Dennis Manoloff (@dmansworld474) <a href="https://twitter.com/dmansworld474/status/342361116925644800">June 5, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
https://www.coveringthecorner.com/2013/6/5/4399968/video-rocky-river-police-press-conferenceRyan2013-06-05T12:19:14-04:002013-06-05T12:19:14-04:00Police: Evidence obtained, charges forthcoming
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/niJDU94c1Gw7q3G5gYoAyFkQ6qE=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47827951/large_letsgotribe.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>So even though no arrests have been made or charges filed, that certainly doesn't mean that Perez is free and clear. Far from it:</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Police said <span>Chris Perez</span> received the "illegal substance" via the regular mail.</p>
— Nick Camino (@CaminoTribe) <a href="https://twitter.com/CaminoTribe/status/342312843015766018">June 5, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Rocky River police confirm that a search warrant was conducted and evidence was obtained, charges will be forthcoming against Chris Perez.</p>
— Nick Camino (@CaminoTribe) <a href="https://twitter.com/CaminoTribe/status/342313500816855040">June 5, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
https://www.coveringthecorner.com/2013/6/5/4399022/rocky-river-police-search-warrant-executed-on-perezs-residenceRyan2013-06-05T12:13:12-04:002013-06-05T12:13:12-04:00Police: no arrests, no charges yet
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/niJDU94c1Gw7q3G5gYoAyFkQ6qE=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47827951/large_letsgotribe.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Rocky River police confirm no arrest was made and no charges have been filed against <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Indians">#Indians</a> closer <span>Chris Perez</span>.</p>
— Nick Camino (@CaminoTribe) <a href="https://twitter.com/CaminoTribe/status/342311469230219264">June 5, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
https://www.coveringthecorner.com/2013/6/5/4399000/camino-rocky-river-police-confirms-no-arrests-no-charges-made-againstRyan2013-06-05T12:00:50-04:002013-06-05T12:00:50-04:00Local Police, Regional Narcotics, USPS Involved
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zNkOyfid71XI-wDFcgnL3W_y47M=/190x317:423x472/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/14242617/gyi0062807303.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Chip Somodevilla</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Add those together, and you can guess what happened.</p> <p>Tom Withers is saying that multiple agencies are investigating something that happened at <span>Chris Perez's</span> residence in Rocky River:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Rocky River police involved with regional narcotics unit and postal inspectors on delivery to Perez's residence. No charges filed. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Indians">#Indians</a></p>
— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) <a href="https://twitter.com/twithersAP/status/342303539210616835">June 5, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Just to be clear: no arrests have been made, and there's been no official release by any of the agencies involved. I don't think I'm jumping to conclusions by guessing that the drugs in question came via the US Postal Service.</p>
https://www.coveringthecorner.com/2013/6/5/4398926/chris-perez-investigation-rocky-river-police-regional-narcotics-unitRyan2013-06-05T11:18:04-04:002013-06-05T11:18:04-04:00Chris Perez investigated for drug possession
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/g51MnOrntVp_l-skgRqLVRWQ20E=/0x22:466x333/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/14239239/20120524_jla_aq4_087.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Eric P. Mull-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Chris Perez is being investigated on drug possession charges.</p> <p><a href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/"><br>Indians</a> closer <span>Chris Perez</span> was arrested last night in Rocky River, a western suburb of Cleveland. <i>(UPDATE (11:25 a.m.): it is now being termed as an "investigation," not an arrest) </i>There are few details at the moment, Perez's lawyer has not yet responded to reporters' attempts to seek comment, but the drugs are believed to be recreational in nature, not performance enhancing. Perez is currently on the 15-day DL with soreness in his right (throwing) shoulder.</p>
<p>UPDATE (11:39 a.m.): The word right now is that <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/CaminoTribe/status/342302694586843136">Perez had a large amount of marijuana delivered to his home</a>, perhaps a pound or more. Penalties in Ohio for one pound of marijuana include <a target="_blank" href="http://www.criminaldefenselawyer.com/marijuana-laws-and-penalties/ohio.htm">a fine of up to $2,500 and/or up to one year in jail.</a> (Thanks to reader PaduaDSP for that link.) I'm hard pressed to believe Perez will see time over this, given his status and lack of prior convictions, but this is more serious than a player being caught with a joint.</p>
<p>Indians GM Chris Antonetti issued the following statement:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Earlier this morning we were made aware of a situation involving Chris Perez that occurred yesterday in Rocky River. We have talked with Chris and are currently in the process of gathering additional information.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>In addition to potential legal penalties, MLB players can be suspended for using a "drug of abuse" (a category that includes marijuana), the same as they can for performance enhancing drugs, so depending on what happened and what is found, Perez could be on his way to a much lengthier absence.</p>
<p>This story will be updated as more details are released.</p>
https://www.coveringthecorner.com/2013/6/5/4398740/mlb-cleveland-indians-news-chris-perez-arrested-for-drug-possessionJason Lukehart