my school's football team was bad enough already...
iamthegreatcornholio
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Houston released on bail
> Tech football player supported by teammates
> By RANA L. CASH
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
> Published on: 06/22/05
Steps labored by shackles, wrists bound by handcuffs, Georgia Tech cornerback Reuben Houston hardly resembled a football star when he appeared in federal court Wednesday, a day after his arrest on felony charges of conspiring to distribute and possess 94 pounds of marijuana valued at $60,000.
Houston was released on $30,000 property bond posted by his mother, Patricia Houston, and ordered to reside at her home in Peachtree City until Monday's preliminary hearing in Fresno, Calif.
More than a dozen Tech football players, including P.J. Daniels, Reggie Ball, Dennis Davis and Eric Henderson, piled into Judge Gerrilyn G. Brill's courtroom at 4 p.m. to watch the 45-minute proceeding. Wearing yellow GT mesh shorts, a blue Tech jacket and sneakers -- the same practice gear he wore at the time of the arrest on campus -- Houston was escorted into the room by two U.S. marshals while family members silently wiped away tears.
"We're thankful Reuben gets to come home today," Patricia Houston said. "We love him and support him in every way, and we will stand with him."
Houston, after changing into a pair of jeans, walked briskly out of the courthouse at 5:45 p.m.
Houston has been suspended from school and from the football team, coach Chan Gailey said.
The Tech senior now faces a host of criminal proceedings resulting from Tuesday's arrest by federal agents. Houston, 22, could get a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and a $1 million fine, according to a criminal complaint filed in United States District Court.
"He received a lot of support from family, friends and teammates," said Houston's attorney, Jeff Brickman. "We're happy the government agreed to bond, and he's looking forward to his day in court."
Houston was arrested in connection with a marijuana distribution operation based in Fresno. The case stemmed from a year-long investigation by the Fresno Methamphetamine Task Force, composed of several law enforcement agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration and the IRS.
Houston allegedly planned to receive the marijuana from Oscar Rosales, 39, according to the U.S. attorney's office for the Eastern California District. The marijuana was delivered to the Tech campus by Rosales' nephew, 22-year-old Anthony Baltazar, who received the drugs from a courier arranged by Rosales.
According to the criminal complaint, federal agent Mark Rodrigues said the task force was tipped off to Houston's involvement by an informant in early February. In his report, Rodrigues alleges that on Feb. 12, the informant and Baltazar drove an SUV loaded with 74 bricks of marijuana in a hidden compartment to the Georgia Tech campus. There, they met Houston, who drove teammate Sam Williams' black SUV "in front of some nearby dormitories."
Rodrigues alleges Houston "appeared to have a small, dark-colored duffle bag and was carrying a young child." Houston entered the loaded vehicle, the report states, and asked Baltazar and the informant to let him take the child to a relative's house.
Trailed by federal agents, the three men headed south. The informant drove erratically and appeared nervous, according to the report, and eventually stopped at a south Atlanta car wash. Sensing they were being followed, the report stated, Houston and Baltazar abandoned the vehicle -- and the drugs inside.
The next day, task force agents seized the vehicle and the marijuana. Wrote Rodrigues: "This tactic was perceived to be the best method by which to preserve the continuation of the investigation and remove the marijuana from circulation."
Baltazar was arrested on May 17. In subsequent questioning, he told agents he met Houston in Oklahoma through "a marijuana acquaintance" named Aaron Height. Baltazar also confessed to organizing the deal, in which he was fronted the marijuana by Rosales.
Baltazar said he was to receive $60,000 cash from Houston, and $5,000 from Rosales for delivering the load. According to Sgt. Don Mitchell, supervisor of the Fresno-based task force, Houston could have sold the marijuana for approximately $80,000 to $110,000.
"Reuben became involved that one time," Mitchell said. "What he'd done before or after is unknown, and that's something we're trying to find out."
Rosales, a stereo shop owner in Fresno, faces charges of engaging in continuing criminal enterprises, said assistant U.S. attorney Karen Escobar.
Houston was not deemed a flight risk by the U.S. attorney's office in California, and was therefore granted a bond opportunity. He has strict travel restrictions and was ordered not to have any communication with Rosales or Baltazar.
As the hearing concluded, Houston stood and made eye contact with the numerous family members, players and Tech athletics department employees seated behind him. Teammates wore puzzled looks. Daniels tightly embraced Houston's mother. Others did the same.
"Great support," said his father, Luther Houston. "We really appreciate it. We're just glad to get him released and get past this first phase."
-- Staff writer Chip Towers and news researcher Joni Zeccola contributed to this article.
Houston released on bail
> Tech football player supported by teammates
> By RANA L. CASH
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
> Published on: 06/22/05
Steps labored by shackles, wrists bound by handcuffs, Georgia Tech cornerback Reuben Houston hardly resembled a football star when he appeared in federal court Wednesday, a day after his arrest on felony charges of conspiring to distribute and possess 94 pounds of marijuana valued at $60,000.
Houston was released on $30,000 property bond posted by his mother, Patricia Houston, and ordered to reside at her home in Peachtree City until Monday's preliminary hearing in Fresno, Calif.
More than a dozen Tech football players, including P.J. Daniels, Reggie Ball, Dennis Davis and Eric Henderson, piled into Judge Gerrilyn G. Brill's courtroom at 4 p.m. to watch the 45-minute proceeding. Wearing yellow GT mesh shorts, a blue Tech jacket and sneakers -- the same practice gear he wore at the time of the arrest on campus -- Houston was escorted into the room by two U.S. marshals while family members silently wiped away tears.
"We're thankful Reuben gets to come home today," Patricia Houston said. "We love him and support him in every way, and we will stand with him."
Houston, after changing into a pair of jeans, walked briskly out of the courthouse at 5:45 p.m.
Houston has been suspended from school and from the football team, coach Chan Gailey said.
The Tech senior now faces a host of criminal proceedings resulting from Tuesday's arrest by federal agents. Houston, 22, could get a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and a $1 million fine, according to a criminal complaint filed in United States District Court.
"He received a lot of support from family, friends and teammates," said Houston's attorney, Jeff Brickman. "We're happy the government agreed to bond, and he's looking forward to his day in court."
Houston was arrested in connection with a marijuana distribution operation based in Fresno. The case stemmed from a year-long investigation by the Fresno Methamphetamine Task Force, composed of several law enforcement agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration and the IRS.
Houston allegedly planned to receive the marijuana from Oscar Rosales, 39, according to the U.S. attorney's office for the Eastern California District. The marijuana was delivered to the Tech campus by Rosales' nephew, 22-year-old Anthony Baltazar, who received the drugs from a courier arranged by Rosales.
According to the criminal complaint, federal agent Mark Rodrigues said the task force was tipped off to Houston's involvement by an informant in early February. In his report, Rodrigues alleges that on Feb. 12, the informant and Baltazar drove an SUV loaded with 74 bricks of marijuana in a hidden compartment to the Georgia Tech campus. There, they met Houston, who drove teammate Sam Williams' black SUV "in front of some nearby dormitories."
Rodrigues alleges Houston "appeared to have a small, dark-colored duffle bag and was carrying a young child." Houston entered the loaded vehicle, the report states, and asked Baltazar and the informant to let him take the child to a relative's house.
Trailed by federal agents, the three men headed south. The informant drove erratically and appeared nervous, according to the report, and eventually stopped at a south Atlanta car wash. Sensing they were being followed, the report stated, Houston and Baltazar abandoned the vehicle -- and the drugs inside.
The next day, task force agents seized the vehicle and the marijuana. Wrote Rodrigues: "This tactic was perceived to be the best method by which to preserve the continuation of the investigation and remove the marijuana from circulation."
Baltazar was arrested on May 17. In subsequent questioning, he told agents he met Houston in Oklahoma through "a marijuana acquaintance" named Aaron Height. Baltazar also confessed to organizing the deal, in which he was fronted the marijuana by Rosales.
Baltazar said he was to receive $60,000 cash from Houston, and $5,000 from Rosales for delivering the load. According to Sgt. Don Mitchell, supervisor of the Fresno-based task force, Houston could have sold the marijuana for approximately $80,000 to $110,000.
"Reuben became involved that one time," Mitchell said. "What he'd done before or after is unknown, and that's something we're trying to find out."
Rosales, a stereo shop owner in Fresno, faces charges of engaging in continuing criminal enterprises, said assistant U.S. attorney Karen Escobar.
Houston was not deemed a flight risk by the U.S. attorney's office in California, and was therefore granted a bond opportunity. He has strict travel restrictions and was ordered not to have any communication with Rosales or Baltazar.
As the hearing concluded, Houston stood and made eye contact with the numerous family members, players and Tech athletics department employees seated behind him. Teammates wore puzzled looks. Daniels tightly embraced Houston's mother. Others did the same.
"Great support," said his father, Luther Houston. "We really appreciate it. We're just glad to get him released and get past this first phase."
-- Staff writer Chip Towers and news researcher Joni Zeccola contributed to this article.
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