Falcons DT Babineaux arrested in Atlanta Area

[iggs111]

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith says Jonathan Babineaux's arrest Thursday night for felony possession of marijuana will not affect his struggling team.

Babineaux, a fifth-year defensive tackle and arguably the Falcons' best pass rusher this season, has been charged with 1½ ounces of marijuana. He was arrested during a traffic stop on Interstate 85 at 10:45 p.m. Thursday.

"I don't think it's going to be a distraction," Smith said. "This is a strong group of men in this locker room. We all have a job to do and we're going to go out and do it."

Babineaux practiced Friday but refused interview requests after the one-hour workout. Smith declined to say whether Babineaux, whose five sacks lead the team, would play Sunday when the Falcons (6-6) host the New Orleans Saints (12-0).

According to Gwinnett County police spokesman Cpl. David Schiralli, the arresting officer was still on duty Friday morning and would not file a report until later.

Schiralli said Babineaux and another man, Aaron Robinson, were driving in Babineaux's 2005 Cadillac Escalade when police pulled them over.

"It was pretty routine," Schiralli said. "The officer saw that the vehicle had an expired tag, no tag light and too heavy a tint on the windows. The officer smelled marijuana and found three bags containing a total of approximately 40 grams. That's quite a bit and enough for us to charge him with intent to distribute."

Babineaux re-signed with the Falcons last fall when the team gave him a five-year, $25 million contract. He was drafted in the second round out of Iowa in 2005.

Schiralli said Babineaux, who posted a bond of $5,700 and was released from Gwinnett County jail at approximately 5 a.m., was also charged with driving without a license.

Atlanta has lost three of four and five of seven as its defense has dropped to last in the NFL with 49 plays allowed of 20 or more yards.

In a statement released by team spokesman Reggie Roberts, owner Arthur Blank and general manager Thomas Dimitroff "are aware of the situation concerning Jonathan Babineaux and are in the process of gathering information. Because this is a legal matter, we will have no further comment at this time."

Babineaux was cleared in November 2007 of a felony charge of animal cruelty after the Gwinnett prosecutor's office determined evidence was lacking for his alleged involvement in the death of a dog.

Gwinnett County Police arrested Babineaux on Feb. 19, 2007, after his girlfriend, Blair Anderson, said she and Babineaux argued at their home. She said she went to the movies, and when she returned, she found her 1½-year-old pit bull, Kilo, in "severe physical distress."

lol are you kidding me?? The guy makes 5 million dollars a year....What can he get for 40 grams?? $800 bucks?? Man this country needs to get over weed, seriously....

[xxxFTWxxx]

Originally Posted by iggs111

lol are you kidding me?? The guy makes 5 million dollars a year....What can he get for 40 grams?? $800 bucks?? Man this country needs to get over weed, seriously....

tell me about it.

i have such ridiculous legal problems right now stemming from marijuana. im actually going to have to do jail time, because i refuse to take any probation.

one of the times i didn't even have it on me and they ****ed with me for paraphernalia when they searched my car without me giving them consent. and i got a dwai for being supposedly high on marijuana. such a joke, i don't even drink. when has a stoner ever got into an accident, especially if its a small amount smoked.

[xxxFTWxxx]

really hate this country sometimes for shit like this, wheres the freedom

[PHILLYBIRDS20]

u gotta be kidding me ftw. Take the phucking probation and get on with ur life. Dont be stupid.

[FalconFreak]

My question is what the hells he doing driving a 2005 Escalade? Cmon man stimulate this economy and buy a new one I know you can afford it

[QuadzillaXXX]

what the hell happened to just letting local athletes off the hook? why would a local cop nail a guy from his own team? split the weed, slap on the wrist and move on

[FalconFreak]

Exactly. Thats why we suck for a sports town, or is it because nobody here is from here> After last week i actually think this is South Philly

[upinya83]

another hawkeye smh...

[justdonating]

My beliefs regarding marijuana aside, this guy is just plain stupid. With the kind of money he makes, have the shit delivered. Even worse, don't fukin' drive around with an expired tag, blown out light, and no license. The first 2 things scream, pull me the fuk over. Everything after that is all she wrote. Damn these guys can be so stupid sometimes.....

[iggs111]

Originally Posted by xxxFTWxxx

tell me about it.

i have such ridiculous legal problems right now stemming from marijuana. im actually going to have to do jail time, because i refuse to take any probation.

one of the times i didn't even have it on me and they ****ed with me for paraphernalia when they searched my car without me giving them consent. and i got a dwai for being supposedly high on marijuana. such a joke, i don't even drink. when has a stoner ever got into an accident, especially if its a small amount smoked.

Bill, listen man.....I went thru this shit when you were in diapers....Take the ****ing probation and pay the money the courts want and move on with your life.....Unless you dont have a lawyer I find it hard to believe you have to do jail time.....If one arrest was for paraphernalia, what was the other arrest for? How many grams?

[iggs111]

Originally Posted by justdonating

My beliefs regarding marijuana aside, this guy is just plain stupid. With the kind of money he makes, have the shit delivered. Even worse, don't fukin' drive around with an expired tag, blown out light, and no license. The first 2 things scream, pull me the fuk over. Everything after that is all she wrote. Damn these guys can be so stupid sometimes.....

I agree with you 100%, not questioning the pulling over part, but charging a hometown athlete with a felony for selling marijuana when you know damn well it was all for him....not like he was gonna go home and stuff dime bags to sell on the streets....such a joke

[Big Pimpin]

If you are ddoing it then leave it at home and do it...rather simple then being a dumbass riding around with it

[Big Pimpin]

Originally Posted by xxxFTWxxx

tell me about it.

i have such ridiculous legal problems right now stemming from marijuana. im actually going to have to do jail time, because i refuse to take any probation.

one of the times i didn't even have it on me and they ****ed with me for paraphernalia when they searched my car without me giving them consent. and i got a dwai for being supposedly high on marijuana. such a joke, i don't even drink. when has a stoner ever got into an accident, especially if its a small amount smoked.

dont need consent if you were being hooked for something else...simple inventory search of car for paperwork purpose or search incident to arrest...

i