Player on Sooner roster faces marijuana charge
BY GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
12/11/12 at 5:23 AM
NORMAN - Oklahoma cornerback Joe Powell, who has not suited up for a game all season, has been suspended since October when he was charged with intent to distribute marijuana, an OU spokesman confirmed.
Police intercepted a package of "high grade" marijuana meant for Powell and used it to catch the 21-year-old junior from Dallas, according to a police investigator's affidavit.
Powell faces a felony charge of intent to distribute marijuana, after police intercepted a package of "high grade" marijuana meant for Powell and used it to catch Powell during a transaction in October.
Powell, a 21-year-old junior from Dallas, was charged Oct. 18 in Cleveland County District Court. He awaits a preliminary hearing conference scheduled for Dec. 18, when Powell's attorney is expected to meet with the assigned district attorney to begin deliberations.
According to Oklahoma statutes, a possession with intent to distribute felony is punishable by two years to life in prison and a maximum fine of $20,000.
An OU spokesman confirmed to the Tulsa World that OU coach Bob Stoops is aware of Powell's situation and that Powell has been suspended from the team since October.
According to the affidavit filed, Oklahoma City Police detectives intercepted a FedEx package of four pounds of "high grade" marijuana intended for Powell. Norman police set up a delivery of that package to Powell Oct. 8 at his apartment east of OU.
An intermediary delivered the package - originally said to be containing "shoes" when Powell set up the transfer - with "a surveillance and arrest team" positioned in the parking lot, the affidavit states.
Police observed people leaving Powell's apartment before contacting him. Powell agreed to meet detectives at University Greens Apartments nearby. It was there he admitted he knew the package contained marijuana, but that he was holding the package until an unknown person picked it up from him, and that he would receive "a little money or marijuana to give to 'the girls' for doing this," the affidavit states.
Powell then took one of the detectives back to his apartment and retrieved the package. The detective confirmed the package contained marijuana, and Powell was released at the scene pending charges.
Powell posted $1,000 bond.
Powell played sparingly as a backup slot receiver in 2010, and then as a cornerback and special teams player in '11. He did not suit up this season.
This is the second issue involving players and marijuana this month. Wide receiver Jalen Saunders and defensive back Cortez Johnson were arrested on complaints of possession Dec. 2 in Norman, about 12 hours after OU's season-ending victory at TCU.
Original Print Headline: OU cornerback facing drug charges
Guerin Emig 918-581-8355
guerin.emig@tulsaworld.com
