Meet The Folks Who Got Busted For That Phelps Bong Photo
Earlier this week we learned that the sheriff’s department in Richland County, SC decided to arrest 8 people (none of which were named Michael Phelps) in the wake of the photo scandal that erupted earlier this month when a photograph of 14-time Olympic Gold Medalist Michael Phelps emerged that showed him puffin’ on a big-ass marijuana bong. Here are 6 mugshots of the regular folk arrested, courtesy of The Smoking Gun, and some info about their now tainted records:
While a South Carolina sheriff would apparently like to bust Michael Phelps for his role in Bonggate, investigators have so far had to settle for collaring several young alleged pot enthusiasts, none of whom actually has been charged with anything to do with the November party attended by the Olympic champion. On the following pages you’ll find mug shots of six arrestees (aged 17-24) who were rounded up this week in a crackdown triggered by the publication of the Phelps photo (a seventh person, a 23-year-old woman, was only cited for pot possession). Several of the residents were popped by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department at the Columbia home where Phelps partied last year. Most were released after posting $570 on the misdemeanor count. One defendant had to post $832.50 because he was also charged with possession of a fake ID.
Seriously, this story is just so much bullshizz. Despite the fact that none of the regular folk arrested were busted for anything that had to do with the events of that infamous night the photo was snapped, the sheriff’s department STILL found it necessary to arrest them for something … because that would right the wrong? It’s ludicrous and stupid. If I were a resident of Richland County, I’d be livid that authorities in my jurisdiction were wasting their time on a witch hunt like this … for no apparent reason. I’m pretty sure that not ONE of these arrests will serve the public good in any way. It sucks that so many people have to suffer real consequences just because Michael Phelps got photographed with a bong. My advice for those of you who may find yourselves at a party attended by Phelpsie in the future … go elsewhere.
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February 15th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Why do people from Red States always look like this? Luckily pix # 2 (this first guy) is gay so there is probably still hope for him, buddy move north. #4 was obvi UP ALL NIGHT on something.
I mean isn’t their styles the only real crime here?
I’m not a smoker, but if I looked like these kids I would smoke all day everyday to kill the pain.
February 15th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
I usually read your man’s site more, I follow you in google reader/twitter though. Isn’t there a way to subscribe to comments?
February 15th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
That sucks, Phelps should totally get some sort of punishment too.
February 15th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
I don’t know what to say I thinlk the entire thing is crazy in sane!!! Sebbe ha that’s great I so needed the laugh:)
February 15th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
What exactly were they arrested for? Taking a picture of a “celebrity” doing something millions of other people do?
February 15th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
@Natty — they were arrested for various drug-related offenses (ranging from possession to having a fake id), not for taking any photos
February 15th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Sebbe…Move North? wtf?
February 15th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
i don’t really understand this… they weren’t arrested for taking the pic? Then why are they on here? I’m so confused lol
but the person who DID take that picture deserves a big fucking deck in the face
but trent, you thought phelps deserved punishment, but not these people who got in trouble for the same offense and got ‘real’ consequences?
February 15th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
@Ford – clearly #2 is the only one of them that has any real potential. Get the h*ll outta Carolina and away from those “real americans”. Move North were the “real real americans” live. BOS/WASH/NYC
February 15th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Thank Goodness that Richland county obviously has NOTHING better to do, than get these dangerous, violent, pot-smoking maniacs off the street… It makes me fel so much safer…
February 15th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Either bust everybody, or nobody, but don’t play favorites. This is so stupid. just because they don’t have the balls to bust Phelps doesn’t make him any less guilty. So everybody else has to take Phelps punishment. Makes a lot of sense.
February 15th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
So why are have these people been publically linked with this story?
February 15th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
I guess throwing Phelps under the bus wasn’t worth it. I am sure they bragged to whomever listened that they ‘partied’ with Michael Phelps. It was a douche move to sell the picture. It was a bigger douche move to try and sell the bong on eBay for $100K. Time to pay the piper.
February 15th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
First of all, I’d like to say that I live in Columbia, and just graduated from USC, and I don’t really appreciate the comments that Sebbe made. What exactly is the definition of an American? I don’t care where you’re from, I think it’s disrespectful to criticize others based solely on geography. If it means that I will be around people who actually have manners, then I’ll stay right here in good ‘ol South Carolina. (Note the sarcastic southern accent on that one, Sebbe). Secondly, I think this has been over publicized. Leon Lott is a crock who just wants some publicity for Richland County. Finally, if any of you watched “Really, Seth” on SNL, my feelings are mutual. The person who sold that picture is a complete bitch. *Y’all have a nice day, you hear?!* (That one’s for you, too, Sebbe. :)
February 15th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
That’s a WHOLE lot of people Sebbe is saying AREN’T “real, REAL” Americans…
February 15th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
If you live in jesusland your a joke and I have sympathy for you. Move, we open your kind with open arms.
February 15th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
Hey Sebbe, wtf are YOU smoking?
February 15th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Well apparently there are more photos than just this one. I dont see how these other people can be arrested from a picture of another another person smoking. IMO thats just dumb.
February 15th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Sebbe, you’re an idot. By the way, your grammar sucks, too. “If you live in jesusland your a joke…” should be you’re. I guess we have more than just manners down here in “jesusland.” If you’re going to insult someone, at least know how to do it.
February 15th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
@M – good point!! typing on phone. I guess that ivy league education wasn’t worth it after all.
February 15th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
Sebbe, you’re an idiot. Your grammar sucks, too. “If you live in jesusland your a joke…” should be you’re. I guess we learn more than good manners down here in “jesusland.” If you’re going to insult someone, at least know how to do it.
February 15th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
Sebbe, I guess not. lol.
February 16th, 2009 at 8:04 am
Sebbe- you are an idiot. And I say that as a well-educated true Southerner whose Yankee daddy decided long ago that the South was far superior to the North and he would never live there again!
As for the Phelps issue, I’m more annoyed at the money our sheriff is wasting. And the eventual court time and money that will be wasted on a few kids just having fun. I also feel sorry for the poor deputies who are being forced to do Lott’s dirty work.
February 16th, 2009 at 11:56 am
Somebody tell Sheriff Douchey the evidence has been smoked, and the bong has been run through he dishwasher. Case closed.
February 16th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
@Green Is Good — LOLOL!
February 16th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
@Sebbe – every time I’ve been down south, I usually find the manners intriguing for the first 24-48 hours until they finally start to get on your nerves and you just want to say STFU. I guess it is easy to be polite when you have little going on and are not in a rush. As a boy originally from the south, I’ll take NYC any day. Oh, this sheriff is surely a douche. CNN had “breaking news” earlier on Phelps statement. Total bullshit. Phelps should at the least be paying these kids legal bills.
February 16th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
do people really have nothing better to do? phelps has already accomplished so much more than some will in a lifetime. yes he made a bad decision -considering he is a public figure- but he stepped up and took the consequences like a man. last week some 13 year old boy became a father, your kid or sibiling may be taking a couple of hits from a bong while you read this and obsess over other people’s lives. get over it. give the guy a break. there’s way more critical things happening right now.
February 16th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
um Jen, and yet you are reading this blog. I suggest you might want to try economist.com, nytimes.com, iht.com, timesonline.co.uk to start as all are excellent sites. Furthermore, swimming in a pool is not exactly solving the worlds woes and problems.