Marijuana charges dismissed against 3 C of C basketball players
Three College of Charleston basketball players and a student manager were ticketed for simple possession of marijuana last week by campus police, but charges against the players were dismissed the next day after the student manager told a Charleston County magistrate that the marijuana was his.
Misdemeanor charges of simple possession against sophomore guard Andrew Goudelock and sophomore forwards Jeremy Simmons and Antwaine Wiggins were dropped by Charleston County magistrate David Coker after student manager David Baker accepted full responsibility for the marijuana, which was found in his vehicle.
Baker also was ticketed with simple possession but was granted enrollment in the state's pretrial intervention program.
"I'd like to clarify a recent incident concerning three members of our basketball team that were ticketed," College of Charleston coach Bobby Cremins said in a statement released through the university. "After I investigated the situation thoroughly, and the charges were dismissed, I determined that it was an incident that should be and was handled internally.
"These players are my responsibility and I appreciate the College of Charleston trusting me to do the right thing. What's important to me is honesty and fairness and I feel the incident is behind us.
"Had it been a more serious incident, I would have immediately suspended the players and made it public. Again, it's my responsibility to insure the integrity of our program and the College of Charleston and I feel this has been accomplished."
The school released Cremins' statement Wednesday afternoon after The Post and Courier's requests for information pertaining to the incident.
Cremins declined further comment but confirmed that all three team members as well as Baker remain in good standing with the basketball program.
The Cougars play at Western Carolina at 7 p.m. Thursday.
Goudelock and Wiggins have started every game for the Cougars this season, while Simmons is a top reserve.
According to an incident report filed by College of Charleston campus police, an officer responding to a complaint about skateboarders in the parking garage at 34 St. Philip Street at approximately 1 a.m. Jan. 27, observed occupants of a gold SUV making suspicious movements. The officer called for backup and after another office arrived, they approached the vehicle and asked the driver (later identified as Baker) to roll down his window.
The officers stated that the vehicle contained a large amount of smoke that smelled like marijuana.
The suspects were removed from the car, and a search of the vehicle uncovered a cigar and a small plastic baggie, both of which contained a leafy substance later tested and confirmed to consist of small quantities (less than 28 grams) of marijuana.
None of the suspects claimed ownership of the marijuana so all four were cited with simple possession and released at the scene.
College of Charleston media relations spokesman Mike Robertson said the four students will be required to meet with Dean of Students Jeri Cabot, who will determine if any further disciplinary action is necessary.
