Miami Heat: Udonis Haslem Arrested for Marijuana Possession

Udonis Haslem of the Miami Heat, was pulled over on Sunday afternoon in Miami for speeding in his 2008 Mercedes and now faces a charge of felony possession of marijuana. According to Miami-Dade court records, Haslem was charged with possessing more than 20 grams of marijuana, a third-degree felony which could bring maximum punishments of a $5,000 fine and a five-year prison sentence. According to a press release the trooper smelled "an odor of marijuana from within the vehicle," leading to the arrest of both Haslem, 30 and passenger Antwain Fleming, 33. The Miami Heat’s forward attorney, Eric Schwartzreich, believes his client was wrongly arrested and is confident the charges can be dropped altogether.

"The marijuana found in the vehicle was found in a duffel bag,'' Schwartzreich said. "Inside the duffel there were documents belonging to the passenger of the vehicle, and the passenger admitted to possession of that marijuana. The marijuana was his. Udonis Haslem told the trooper that he could search his car, indicating obviously that there was nothing to hide. Udonis Haslem did not know there was marijuana inside the vehicle. Udonis Haslem has not broken any laws or committed any crimes and we're going to work with the state attorney's office and hopefully be able to point out that the charges are not warranted in this case."

The passenger in the car, Antwain Fleming, although admitted to police that the marijuana and the duffle bag was his was charged with possessing less than 20 grams of marijuana, a first-degree misdemeanor that carries sentences up to a $1,000 fine and one year in prison. Haslem re-signed with the Heat in July, turning down more lucrative offers for a chance to stay in his hometown and play with Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Chris Bosh and his former college teammate Mike Miller. Heat president Pat Riley said in July of Haslem "He is our anchor, he is a true warrior and a great professional." He was released on bond shortly after 10 p.m., and left jail without talking to reporters. Besides the speeding citation, Haslem was also charged with illegal window tint on the Mercedes.