Former Razorback Matt Jones going to drug court program
Posted on Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Jones
A judge signed an order Tuesday allowing Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Matt Jones to transfer to drug court instead of face criminal charges for possession of cocaine, officials said.
If Jones, a former University of Arkansas quarterback, completes the intensive drug court program, then the felony charge against him would be dismissed, officials said.
Fayetteville attorney Woody Bassett, who represents Jones, and 4 th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney John Threet said they reached an agreement to allow Jones to participate in the drug court program. Officials said a transfer order was signed Tuesday by 4 th Judicial Circuit Judge William Storey, but the order had not been filed when the courthouse closed Tuesday.
Jones, 25, must appear in drug court at 1 p.m. Oct. 13 before 4 th Judicial Circuit Judge Mary Ann Gunn, Bassett said.
Gunn said in an interview that Jones will likely not be required to move back to Arkansas to participate in the drug court program if the National Football League allows him to continue playing.
He must successfully participate in the NFL's substance abuse program and pass all of its drug testing requirements to qualify for credit toward time served in drug court, she said. Former Razorback Marcus Harrison, who plays for the Chicago Bears, has a similar arrangement for drug court, she said.
"The NFL will keep the treatment team informed on a weekly basis," Gunn said.
Jones must stay off drugs and complete the nine- to 12-month program or he will be kicked out of drug court and face prosecution just like any one else, officials said.
Jones was arrested July 10 after Fayetteville police officers found him in possession of about 6 grams of cocaine in a parked vehicle behind a Dickson Street bar, according to the police report.
Police also arrested former Razorbacks tight end Jared Hicks, 25, of Fayetteville and Benjamin Cook of Tulsa, Okla., who were also in the vehicle. Both Hicks and Cook face Oct. 15 trial dates on misdemeanor charges of possession of drug paraphernalia in Fayetteville District Court.
Jones, a Razorback from 2001-04, has made 124 receptions for a total of 1, 661 yards for the Jacksonville Jaguars since being selected in the first round of the 2005 NFL draft. While at Arkansas, Jones set the Southeastern Conference career quarterback rushing record with 2, 335 yards. Bassett would not say whether Jones will be able to keep his spot on the team's roster. He did say that drug court is a step in the right direction for his client.
"Handling the case in this manner is clearly in Matt's best interest. If he successfully completes the requirements of the drug court program- and I'm sure he will- then all of this will end in a positive way for Matt," Bassett said. "He has reacted to the adversity of this in a very positive way. He's been doing all the right things both on and off the football field," Bassett said.
Threet said after Jones'arrest that first-time offenders on drug possession charges typically receive probation or drug court.
Jones could have been charged with a more serious charge of possession with intent to deliver because of the amount of drugs found in his possession, but this presumptive charge would not have held up in court, officials said.
Threet said police investigating the incident said there was no evidence that Jones intended to sell drugs, so it would have been unethical to pursue the higher charge.
If Jones fails to complete the drug court program, he faces prosecution for possession of cocaine, which carries a possible sentence of three to 10 years, a fine of up to $ 10, 000 or both.
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