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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