Notes: Matt Jones Arrested Again; More Problems for Roger Clemens (Perhaps)
March 10, 2009 by dwil
Jacksonville Jaguars wideout Matt Jones was arrested Monday for violating the terms of his sentence. Alcohol was found in Jones’ system after he took a drug test that was part of his plea agreement from his possession of cocaine charge in July.
Judge Mary Ann Gunn charged Jones with contempt of court.
Jones, given the choice of serving 10 days in jail or entering a six-week residential treatment program, chose treatment but Judge Gunn apparently told Jones to think about the stay in a residential program would do to his NFL career:
The career of Jaguars receiver Matt Jones took another damaging turn Monday when he was booked into the Washington County Detention Center in Fayetteville, Ark., for violating terms of the plea deal that placed him in a drug intervention program.
A participant in the Washington County Drug Court because of his felony cocaine arrest last July, Jones was booked at 6:21 p.m. Monday for possession of a controlled substance and held on a $150,000 bond, according to Washington County records.
But Jones’ arrest Monday actually stemmed from a positive result on a random test for alcohol taken on Feb. 27, at approximately 6:30 p.m.
“We’re aware of the situation and are still gathering information,” said Jaguars general manager Gene Smith, who declined to comment further.
Terms of Jones’ drug treatment program call for participants to abstain from drugs and alcohol, and individuals are tested randomly for the substances. Positive results from Jones’ alcohol test came in late last week, and he appeared in court Monday to face Judge Mary Ann Gunn, who presides over the drug court, about the positive result.
According to Lisa Dennis, deputy prosecuting attorney for the drug court, the program’s random tests can detect alcohol consumption from as far out as 72 hours prior to the sample being taken. Jones’ sample was sent by the court to a laboratory in Memphis, Tenn., where the positive result was confirmed.
“He came to court and was upfront with Judge Gunn that he drank beer before the test when he was playing golf with friends,” Dennis said. “But the judge wanted to emphasize that even having a beer is against the rules. It’s not a terrible infraction, but he broke a rule.”
During the court appearance, Jones was given the choice between 10 days of jail or admittance into a residential drug treatment facility for six weeks. Jones initially chose treatment because he didn’t want his mother, Paula, to see him taken to jail. Gunn then suggested that the receiver consider what a six-week stint in drug treatment might do to his NFL career. Upon urging from his mother, Jones chose jail, where he’ll remain until 8 a.m. Sunday.
Jones was initially set to spend 10 days in jail. But Jones told Gunn he needed to be back in Jacksonville by Monday to undergo a body assessment scheduled by the club, which begins offseason conditioning next week….
Jones’ entrance into the Washington County Drug Court stems from an incident last July in which Fayetteville police arrested the former first-round draft pick after seeing him inside a parked car allegedly cutting up cocaine with a Foot Locker discount card.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Jones entered the drug program, typically a nine- to 12-month intervention program that includes 30 hours of community service, 136 hours of group therapy, and submittal to at least 78 random tests for drugs and alcohol, to have that charge erased from his record. Dennis estimates that Jones’ time in the drug program will be extended another four weeks by Gunn.
In the past NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has harshly treated “repeat offenders” of the leagues conduct policy. Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Terry “Tank” Johnson received an eight-game suspension from Goodell after he was charged with driving while intoxicated in Phoenix, Arizona. Though Johnson was exonerated of the charge, Goodell upheld the suspension and Johnson was released by the Chicago Bears as a result.
How Jones fares the the NFL’s head honcho will be watched closely.
———————————
It appears Roger Clemens is headed for trouble. Drug paraphernalia alleged to belong to the former pitching great was found to contain banned substances. According to a New York Times article by Michael Schmidt, syringes, vials, or gauze handed over to federal investigators by Clemens’ former trainer, Brian McNamee, tested positive for illegal substances presumed to be either steroids or human growth hormone, or both:
The discovery of the substances could bolster the claims of the trainer, Brian McNamee, that he used the various items — including syringes, vials and gauze pads — to inject Clemens with steroids and human growth hormone.
In February, it was disclosed that federal prosecutors had linked Clemens’s DNA to blood residue in at least one of the syringes that McNamee handed over to authorities. Clemens has not denied that McNamee injected him, but he has maintained that the substances McNamee used were Vitamin B12 and the painkiller lidocaine….
If the federal prosecutors move to indict Clemens and seek to use the substances found on the drug paraphernalia as evidence, Clemens’s lawyers are expected to question their authenticity and the chain of custody. Clemens’s lead lawyer, Rusty Hardin, said Monday night that he was not surprised to learn that performance-enhancing substances had been found.
“Duh,” he said with exaggeration. “Do you really think McNamee was going to fabricate this stuff and not make sure there were substances on there? The fact is Roger never used steroids or H.G.H.”…
Jennifer L. Mnookin, a professor of law at U.C.L.A., said that a judge would most likely deem the drug paraphernalia admissible and allow a jury to assess its credibility.
“The presence of Clemens’s DNA alone makes these materials an important part of the case and makes it likely that the judge would let them in and let the jury weigh whether to believe that they are authentic,” she said.
Clemens lawyers, she added, would most likely argue that the materials were fabricated or contaminated.
“And at that point,” Mnookin said, “a jury will be back at square one, trying to decide whether they believe McNamee or Clemens.”
She added: “All that these tests can do is show the presence of biological materials. They can’t tell you how, why or when.”
Like the Barry Bonds case, federal investigators could be looking at possessing what they feel is enough evidence to convict Clemens, but end up only with circumstantial evidence to produce during yet another perjury trial; chain of custody with the “tainted” material mat be difficult to prove.
Matty Cocaine likes to have a beer while golfing, what’s the big deal?
What happened to the the pedophile charges against Clemens for sexing down that country singer?? Or have we forgotten about that?
What Young Jezzy Matt Jones got arrested again.
Dwight Gooden always said that cocaine wasn’t the real problem, but the alcohol. Every time he relapsed with coke, he had bee drinking first.
yes, DWil Goodell should be watched closely
For crying out loud, are the Feds waiting to see if Roger Clemens DNA turns up INSIDE Brain McNamee’s mouth?? Geez…..this is just crazy.
I don’t like Roger Clemens and I hope that if he’s guilty, he does time in the federal system for perjury. Unlike Bonds, who had established Hall of Fame credentials before doing steroids, Clemens’ career was once imperiled. If it is established that steroids facilitated his professional rejuvenation, he shouldn’t be allowed into Cooperstown.
Having said all of that, I must take exception with a previous post that asked what happened to “charges” of sex with 15-year-old. There are no charges. There never were. Both parties have denied a sexual relationship at that stage. (Feel free to smirk at that one.)
At any rate, it’s way too soon to declare that Clemens has gotten a “free pass” on the drug issue. It looks like the feds are quite active in the matter. And the allegations or illicit sex are merely speculation at this point. Let’s just be clear on that.
RBD,
Hm. I could have sworn I read just the opposite with Clemons and his country singin’ jailbait. Oh well, I don’t feel like researching so I will go with it.
As far as Matt “Escobar” Jones, if his azz doesn’t get a full year suspension like the other Jones boy, I will put some powder in my hand and slap the first moron who says “but it’s not about racism!”
RBD,
Roger Clemens already received his free pass:
From the media.
Every sign in the world was there, yet no speculation or investigation. He was alleged to have popped up by the LA Times in the Jason grimsley report, yet no follow-up reporting or investigation (a year later the LA Times report was deemed erroneous — except that Grimsley was RIGHT about his names). It was only the Mitchell Report that outed Clemens — not the media. Even still the media has treated Clemens much better than Bonds.
About the Feds: There is also another distinction between Bonds and Clemens. The Feds — led by Jeff Novitzky — deliberately went after Bonds who just wanted to be left alone. In contrast, Clemens basically invited everybody into his living room. he basically DARED the feds, congress, and anyone else. Bonds and Clemens are often lumped together in this “defiant” category, yet Bonds was never “aggressive” or “proactive” in his denials. He only responded when others pushed him into a corner and a mic in his face.
RDB-
Mindy McCready admitted to having sex with Clemens when she was 15.
So Jennifer Sirbaugh’s word is gospel when the word from the drug addict, I mean, 4 time suicide attempter, I mean, country star’s own mouth is that the relationship was in fact not sexual when she was 15.
hmmm
I guess I’ve had sexual relationships with every chick that I’ve ever hung around or talked about to my friends or parents if that’s the case.
I’m not “for” Clemens but let’s not put the cart before the horse. The fucking guy is going to be guilty, the media has covered it about as much as it could be covered. This is an entirely different type of case than Bonds’ yet there’s still a cry for equal coverage. I agree with you (dwil) and MODI most of the time when it comes to wanting equal coverage, but there has absolutely not been a “white pass” handed to Clemens in this case. It’s been reported as much as it can be reported considering the way the allegations came to light.
There is a question that still hasn’t been raised, nor answered, by any of the contributing writers here. Since Bonds is eventually going to trial for lying to a grand jury, whether he’s guilty or not, why won’t his trainer testify? His trainer has a right not to testify, of course. Just like a writer doesn’t have to reveal his sources but… if the guy is so innocent and he didn’t lie or break the law, why not step up and tell your side of the story? I believe that Bonds isn’t getting a fair shake from the media, because he hasn’t been proven guilty of anything yet. But I also believe, from a PR standpoint, he could go a long way towards clearing his name if Greg Anderson stepped up and told the prosecutors to kiss his ass. Until then, all the media has to show for it’s “hard work” is exgirlfriend accusations, housekeeper accusations, etc to run with. The government has wasted a lot of money on this case, but obviously there’s something there if they still wish to continue with the prosecution after some of the recent findings… Whether it’s something damaging or not, no matter what it is, it’s going to hurt Bonds.
I’m still a big fan of spelling the guy’s last name wrong though awb, that’s a nice touch.
oh and dwil, my source for Mindy McCready saying she didn’t have sex with Clemens when she was 15 was the NY Post dated 12/17/2008.
It can be found in many other publications, but the NY Post was the last place I looked before the comment.
I thought this was a funny line from the New York Times article from Clemens’ attorney: “Duh,” he said with exaggeration. “Do you really think McNamee was going to fabricate this stuff and not make sure there were substances on there?”
At some point, I think there will be some ‘settlement’ between McNamee and Clemens in regards to the civil suit.
ESPN treats the Roger Clemens story as one paragraph story without the fanfare..and off to the next story… their heart isn’t in it..ESPN Radio’s hosts don’t want to talk about it..they are waiting for A-Rod (who isn’t under any federal investigation) to come back from his injury so they can continue to ‘gossip’ and tease him or make fun of Manny Ramirez (Manny being Manny)…
The Obama administration wants all steroid investigations to come to an end before the summer… Obama and Holder can’t turn back the clock on previous investigations and testimonies, but this expensive, ‘open-ended’ investigation WILL STOP SOON… You saw a glimpse of it with Bonds’ trial being indefinitely delayed on March 2nd.
Jennifer L. Mnookin, a professor of law at U.C.L.A said even if the evidence against Clemens is admissible, it will be challenged by Clemens lawyer and ultimately…“And at that point,” Mnookin said, “a jury will be back at square one, trying to decide whether they believe McNamee or Clemens.”
SQUARE ONE isn’t option… The general public is tired of this witchunt, and the mainstream baseball media thirst to nail Barry Bonds’ has waned because the new reality is Bonds isn’t going to jail and will eventually go the Hall of Fame.
Boney-
If I remember correctly from the initial reports, McCready said, “I’m afraid everything is true.” Only later did she retract the statement (click on the link and you might find out about the case). Now, who are you addressing about Sirbaugh because, again, if you clicked on the link, you’d find that I outed her right from the start.
Now, here’s the link to the beginning of the story – and do not dare play NY Post vs. NY Daily News with me. Firstly, the Daily News reported the affair before the Post even knew anything about it and then and only then did the Post rush to Clemens’ aid – and to attempt to create their own “scoop” – with the reporting a retraction.
Finally, the group of Daily News writers reporting the story have never been wrong about a single PED-related item. AND. If this was not true, imagine the ensuing lawsuit? You see, an article of this sort must go through the Daily News’ lawyers before it goes to press. And the business of the paper’s lawyers is to keep information out of the public purview, not allow stories to see the light of day.
So, if the Daily News’ lawyers gave this the okay, they had to perform due diligence to maker absolutely sure the reporters got the story correct.
Glad you like it Booney.
I”m guessing the reason Clemens hasn’t sued the paper is that the story quotes McCready as saying the sexual relationship didn’t start for a few years after she was 15. Therefore, she’s saying — or at least implying — she was of age. And maybe he can’t beat that because truth is the perfect defense for libel claims.
Again, there are no criminal charges. I’m not defending Clemens; I’m just encouraging people to be responsible with facts and to avoid defaming him out of a desire to see retribution for the allegedly unjust prosecution of Bonds.
WTF!!!! You cats that are coming to the “defense” of Clemens must be on some of that “hella of a drug” like your boy Matt Jones with his drunken ass!
I take issue with a comment that says “the media has covered it about as much as it could be covered.” He has gotten it way easier than Bonds. Once it was discovered that folks like Andy Petite, Rick Ankiel and Troy Glaus were just as guilty as Jose Canseco, Sammy Sosa, etc. the public was and is ready to move on. It was a whole lot easier to work up rage against the Black and Latino brothers than it was for the boys next door.
As for Clemens and the under-age Mindy McCready, how many well adjusted professional athletes not named Mark Chmura kick it with a 15-year old? In the words of T.O. if it walks like a duck…….
Yeah, he got the W.B.P., so did Petite and Jason Giambi and I love the Yanks!
Mactown, thank you….I can’t believe anyone honestly thinks for a hot second that McCready was only in ole Roger’s hotel room “talking” when she was but a high school sophomore…..yeah….riiiiiiiiight. Come’on…..y’all know better than that.
The silence ’round these pahts is deaf’nin’.
Boney, Boney, Boney: First rule of online sword fighting.
NEVER, NEVER, NEVER use the NEW YORK POST in a line of argument unless you are attacking their credibility. I know you don’t live in New York, but there are at least 11 million people here who know this paper to be little more than the National Enquirer with connections to Alexander Hamilton. It’s not really a “news-paper.” It’s all a charade.
Glad to see I could add some spice to the stew. I had almost forgotten about Mark”Hows the water in the jacuzzi” Chimura!!!!
T3-
Yuuuuuuuup!
Some Matty Ice spin for ya’ll courtesy of Don Banks over on SI.COM:
The easy assumption to make is that judgment day is coming for Matt Jones in Jacksonville, now that the Jags receiver and former first-round pick is back in trouble over violating the terms of his plea agreement stemming from a July 2008 felony cocaine arrest.
But will Jacksonville really part ways with him for violating the terms of his drug-treatment program by drinking beer while on a golf outing late last month? Rules are rules, and Jones tested positive for alcohol when he has promised to abstain from it. But given that Jones finally came around on the field last season, leading the Jags in catches with 65 for 761 yards and two touchdowns, I’d say it’s only 50-50 that he has played his last game in black and teal. Especially since Jacksonville remains thin at receiver.
Nothin’ to see here. Keep it movin’.
– HD, I think that Matt Jones improved just enough last year to overcome the violation. If there is no suspension, hHe will probably be a 1000 yard receiver next year.
——
Boney, the new York Daily news is the only publication that reports Roger Clemens in any similar way to Bonds. ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and everyone else has two completely different standards.
Who investigated Bonds? The media did led by Game of shadows authors, SI, and ESPN.
Who investigated Clemens? The Mitchell report.
Do you see the difference here? Even after Clemens name allegedly popped up in the Jason Grimsley bust there was absolutely no media follow-up or mention of this? How is that possible? Then a year later we find out that Clemens name was not on the affidavit — except everything Grimsley said was true. Whether on the affidavit or not, grimsley obviously mentioned Clemen’s name.
Either way, the year after the original grimsley story, the media showed its hand. not only would they not investigate Clemens, they would not mention the previous report! This is what is called PROTECTION.
And then after the mitchell report when the daily news kept issuing new reports on Clemens, ESPN and SI were ignoring most of these. Again, this is called PROTECTION.
If Clemens receives time, it will be because of three things.
1) The mitchell Report
2) Clemens basicallly daring Congress to investigate him
3) Congress accepting Clemen’s dare
none of these entities are the mainstream media. just like Big Mac, they only jumped on board when they no longer had a choice! Please understand how this game works.
Man Matty Ice needs to be suspended plain and simple. I don’t remember any nuance in the way Goodell handled this sh*t before. Matty has been arrested twice-apparently the NFL doens’t wait to see if anyone was guilty or not.