Indians Closer Perez Charged with Pot Possession

(AP) Indians closer Perez charged with pot possession
By THOMAS J. SHEERAN
Associated Press
CLEVELAND
Cleveland Indians closer Chris Perez, who is charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession, had told drug agents he had pot in his home for personal use and pointed out two jars, according to investigative reports.

Asked about any drugs or weapons by officers who went to the Perez home on Tuesday with a search warrant, “Perez responded that he had `personal use’ marijuana in the basement and volunteered to direct the officers to the location of it,” an investigative report said.

Police, tipped off to suspicious packages by postal inspectors, arranged a delivery Tuesday under surveillance, and Perez’s wife, Melanie, accepted two packages, the reports said.

A later house search under warrant began while Perez and his wife were out for lunch and a movie, the reports said. A baby-sitter was caring for two children.

Police say Perez returned home and mentioned personal marijuana use to the search team of officers.

Perez, 27, and his 29-year-old wife were charged in a complaint filed Friday with misdemeanor drug possession in the shipment of just over one-third of a pound of marijuana mailed to their home. They haven’t commented, but their attorney said they would plead not guilty.

Perez and his wife were released on personal bond.

Dan Chaplin, a Cleveland defense attorney not connected with the case, compared the charge to a traffic ticket and said a conviction likely would be punished with a fine.

Perez has six saves this season but is on the disabled list with an injured right shoulder. The right-hander started throwing again this week.

Perez, an often-polarizing figure, and Cleveland fans have gotten on each other’s nerves over the past couple of years. He recently deactivated his Twitter account after criticism from fans following a couple of bad outings.

In previous seasons, Perez has lashed out at fans for not coming to games, and at owners for not spending money on free agents.