NFL


Eagles coach's son admits smuggling drugs into jail

By MARYCLAIRE DALE,
AP Sports
Posted: 2008-05-07 17:22:01
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid's son was sent to state prison after admitting he smuggled 89 prescription pills into a county jail.

Garrett Reid pleaded guilty to drug smuggling charges on Wednesday and faces a minimum of two years in state prison.

The 25-year-old Reid, however, could be released earlier to a less restrictive facility if he is accepted into a drug-treatment program, Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman said.

Reid is already serving time in the county jail for a heroin-fueled car crash that injured a motorist. Jail officials say he smuggled the pills inside when he surrendered last fall, just before his guilty plea to crash-related charges.

"While we understand that some defendants, this one in particular, have substance-abuse issues, he still committed a very serious offense," Ferman said. "We need to take a very hard line on crimes like this to make sure that prison authorities can maintain order."

Reid once told probation officers that he was an addict who had gotten a thrill selling drugs in inner-city Philadelphia.

He entered his plea Wednesday before Judge Steven O'Neill, who last year questioned Andy and Tammy Reid's supervision and compared their home to a "drug emporium."

Another son, Britt Reid, 23, is in a county drug-court program after pleading guilty that same day to separate drug and gun charges.

The Reids later spoke publicly of their many attempts to get their sons in treatment, and the toll it had taken on their family. They have three other children.

Garrett Reid's formal sentencing on the smuggling charge is on hold while he is considered for the treatment program. He is serving a sentence of up to 23 months on the earlier charges.

Defense lawyer Timothy Woodward did not return phone calls Wednesday seeking comment.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

05/07/08 16:21 CDT


Bookmark:

Recent Comments

Add your own Comments



NFL Video

ESPN
ESPN

Check out exclusive highlights, original programming, and fantasy advice from ESPN at AOL Video.

2008 NFL Draft

Jake Long at NFL Draft
Jim McIsaac, Getty Images


Recap the entire NFL Draft from the first pick to the last.

Picks: Round 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7
· Longs Selected at 1 and 2
· More Coverage From AOL Sports
· Complete Analysis From FanHouse
· Get Fantasy Value of Top Picks


Top Sports Photos

Ozzie Guillen
M. Spencer Green, AP

See outrageous moments from
the most controversial manager in baseball today.

Hottest Olympians

Gymnast Alicia Sacramone
Harry How, Getty Images

Check out the hottest athletes
of the Summer Games.