Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
Leon Lott, the Richland County, SC Sheriff, has now arrested eight people in association with the picture of Michael Phelps smoking from a marijuana bong. I'd post it here to refresh your memory, but I fear Lott would send policemen to bust down my door with a warrant, and I really like my front door. It works just fine as it is.
That's eight people charged, including the owner of the house, who was not even at the party in question. The house is technically in the Columbia police district, but Columbia police -- like the rest of the known universe -- decided that with murders, robberies, and other crimes on the rise in the midst of a recession, pursuing anyone seen in a single grainy photograph of people smoking weed wasn't worth taxpayer dollars.
Fortunately, Lott is a one-man stimulus package all by himself, injecting valuable taxpayer dollars into eight separate criminal cases filed by the Sheriff's department, filling the pockets of defense attorneys, court reporters, paralegals, and other assorted beneficiaries of wasting public dollars in the name of grabbing the national spotlight. When you look back a few years from now and wonder when the recession's tide turned and a wave of prosperity began to sweep across this nation by itself, don't credit our President or congress: no, Leon Lott deserves the credit. Don't let history forget this.
(In all seriousness, way more money could have been pumped into the economy if Lott hadn't seized the bong, which was allegedly going on eBay for six figures. Instead, that valuable piece of history is sitting in a Richland County evidence locker. Why do you hate America, Leon Lott?)
This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.
23 comments
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Leon Lett arrested 8 pot smokers?
What the hell..
by npcPronk29 on Feb 10, 2009 3:04 PM EST reply actions
Let’s hope President Obamma will do something about these absurd laws about marujuana..This is a victomless crime that really does no harm to anyone including the usuer…Why is it leagel to sell alcohol and cigerettes??..MONEY and special interests groups….Change the laws and PARTY ON DUDES!!!!!
by Eggs Ackley on Feb 10, 2009 3:18 PM EST reply actions
Seriously, this is a ridiculous waste of taxpayer money.
by backell on Feb 10, 2009 3:21 PM EST reply actions
What a glory-seeking tool…South Carolina only makes national headlines when it’s something embarassing. State’s got more black eyes than Rihanna…
by TigerBuc on Feb 10, 2009 3:24 PM EST reply actions
How do they know that marijuana was in the bong? This should be a slam dunk for the defense. A picture of drinking a liquid that looks like beer does not make it so. Get a life Sheriff.
by huperetes on Feb 10, 2009 3:36 PM EST reply actions
technically, not even in his county. wow.. trying to make a name for himself.
by brooks36 on Feb 10, 2009 3:43 PM EST reply actions
he’s just a publicity seeking glory hound.
signed, sheriff joe arpio
by zzxxxxzz on Feb 10, 2009 3:45 PM EST reply actions
Not tryin to nitpick but it’s Columbia not colombia. I know. I live in Columbia, SC.
by JTinSCarolina on Feb 10, 2009 3:51 PM EST reply actions
Now I know of one city that won’t be making a bid to hold the X Games.
by coreno on Feb 10, 2009 4:05 PM EST reply actions
Lol people come on dont act like this is the first and only time the goverment hasn’t wasted taxpayers money…lol
by sho down11 on Feb 10, 2009 4:06 PM EST reply actions
glad to see he has nothing better to do with his time, or his states taxpayers money.
by sarah242k on Feb 10, 2009 4:29 PM EST reply actions
What is the four letter word you use when you wish to shorten the name Richard….
On a side note: His name WOULD have to be Leon Lett!
by 308 Vet on Feb 10, 2009 4:54 PM EST reply actions
What is the four letter word you use when you wish to shorten the name Richard….
On a side note: His name WOULD have to be Leon Lott!
by 308 Vet on Feb 10, 2009 4:56 PM EST reply actions
Now the rest of the country get to see how much of a tool this guy (and SLED) is. It’s the SEC’s dirty little secret, that Columbia is a ridiculously tight town (in a conference that contains such places as gainesville and Baton Rouge).
by gumboman on Feb 10, 2009 5:25 PM EST reply actions
308 Vet, Leon Lett aka Richard Cranium.
by reddogracer on Feb 10, 2009 5:34 PM EST reply actions
Dag gummit, dey done per-pee-trated illegal weed smokin’ in dis here jurys-dick-shun.
by Tileking59 on Feb 10, 2009 6:31 PM EST reply actions
Must be an election year for Lott. This is a prime example why Law Enforcement leaders should not be elected officials.
by CSUBUC91 on Feb 10, 2009 7:25 PM EST reply actions
I heard Sheriff Lett was seen across the border in Mayberry deputizing Goober and Gomer. He needed the extra muscle to round up the perpetrators!!
Onward through the fog, Sheriff Lett!
by pncombies on Feb 10, 2009 8:53 PM EST reply actions
Spencer, why don’t you go down there and tell him what you really think face to face? I’m sure he’d want to hear your valued opinion.
by busyone23 on Feb 10, 2009 9:02 PM EST reply actions
Not tryin to nitpick but it’s Columbia not colombia. I know. I live in Columbia, SC.
by pncombies on Feb 10, 2009 9:06 PM EST reply actions
all I can think of is this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrZLc9lqQM0
by cjbassett on Feb 10, 2009 9:52 PM EST reply actions
If the bong’s not lit, you must acquit!
by ravens98fever on Feb 11, 2009 12:02 AM EST reply actions
Busyone23:
Because I’d have to get off the couch, and Phelps just stopped by for some…uh…we’re just gonna watch some tv, that’s all.
by shall.tsn on Feb 11, 2009 10:18 AM EST reply actions
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