Seattle Seahawks linebacker Leroy Hill once again is ensnared in legal trouble.
According to a report provided by the Atlanta Police department, Hill was arrested for marijuana possession early Saturday morning after police dogs confirmed the smell of an illegal substance emanating from his apartment while performing random floor checks.
According to the incident report, officers received a complaint of a strong odor of marijuana coming from the 17th floor of an apartment unit at 10 Terminus Place Condominiums around 1 a.m.
Officers investigated, confirmed the odor and obtained a search warrant. Upon entry, officers found partially-smoked suspected marijuana “blunts” in plain view, as well as marijuana residue.
According to the report, Hill and his girlfriend were arrested and taken into custody for possession of marijuana (less than an ounce). The two were transported to the Atlanta City Detention Center.
Officials at the detention center did not return an email asking to confirm if Hill posted bond or was released.
It’s the third time in three years that Hill has been arrested.
“While we are aware of the report regarding Leroy Hill, we are still in the process of gathering information and will refrain from commenting further at this time,” the Seahawks said in a prepared statement.
Hill received a sentence of 12 months probation for misdemeanor drug possession for a Jan. 24, 2009 incident in which he was found asleep at the wheel by police in suburban Atlanta with marijuana in his car
Hill also was arrested in April 2010 at his home in Issaquah on a misdemeanor count of fourth degree assault/domestic violence for an incident involving his live-in girlfriend at the time.
Hill avoided trial and a settlement was reached in the domestic dispute, with charges dismissed if he complied with stipulations handed down by the Issaquah Municipal Court.
Hill was suspended for the first game of the 2010 season for violating the NFL’s drug policy after the marijuana charge in Georgia in 2009.
Later that season he was fined two game checks for violating the league personal conduct policy for the domestic abuse charge.
Hill, 29, was on the season-ending injured reserve list at the time with an Achilles tendon injury that required surgery.
With this latest incident, depending on disciplinary actions negotiated in the latest collective bargaining agreement, Hill could be looking at a minimum of a four-game suspension for the upcoming season as a repeat offender.
That’s not good news for Hill, a soon-to-be free agent coming off his best season in five years. For the first time in his seven years in the league, Hill played all 16 games, finishing fourth on the team in tackles with 89, and second with four sacks.
Eric D. Williams: 253-597-8437 Eric.wiliams@thenewstribune.com blog.thenewstribune.com/seahawks
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