Sales appears in Syracuse City Court on drug charges
UPDATED: Aug. 4, 2011, 6:15 p.m.
Syracuse senior wide receiver Marcus Sales and his brother, Michael Sales Jr., appeared in Syracuse City Court on Thursday on drug charges, defense lawyer Michael Vavonese said.
The brothers were arrested Friday when they were pulled over for running a red light near Midland Avenue and Ballantyne Road in Syracuse. They were arraigned Saturday morning and then released from custody.
Police found 180 Lortab (hydrocodone and acetaminophen) tablets, three knotted pieces of plastic containing a green plant-like substance that tested positive for marijuana, a plastic cup containing gin, three digital scales and other plastic bags with devil, superman and pit bull insignias on them.
The brothers are both facing charges of fifth- and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia and unlawful possession of marijuana.
Sales faces additional charges of driving through a red light, consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle and violating the city’s open container law.
Sales appeared before City Judge Stephen Dougherty with Vavonese, who said Sales pleaded not guilty to all charges. Dougherty allowed Sales to remain free under the Pre-Trial Release Program while his criminal charges are pending, Vavonese said. The case has been adjourned to Feb. 9 by the judge, Vavonese said.
Vavonese said the defense lawyers can negotiate a resolution of the charges with prosecutors from now until Feb. 9. Vavonese said he hopes to have the case resolved ‘long before’ Feb. 9.
Syracuse plays its regular-season finale on Dec. 3 at Pittsburgh. SU Athletics declined to make further comment on the subject.
Sales’ brother, Michael, also appeared before Dougherty with defense lawyer Ralph Habib. Dougherty allowed Michael to remain free under the Pre-Trial Release Program and adjourned his case to Feb. 9, according to the article.
Calls to Habib were not returned immediately.
The Orange begins its preseason Friday with the annual media day, followed by the first practice of the year. The team’s first game is Sept. 1 against Wake Forest in the Carrier Dome.
Published on August 3, 2011 at 12:00 pm
Contact Ryne: rjgery@syr.edu
