Falcons’ Vick tests positive for marijuana, judge imposes restrictions

RICHMOND, Va. – A federal judge placed tighter restrictions Wednesday on Michael Vick after the Atlanta Falcons quarterback tested positive for marijuana.\nBecause of the result, U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson placed special conditions on Vick’s release, including restricting him to his home between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. with electronic monitoring and ordering him to submit to random drug testing.\nThe urine sample was submitted Sept. 13, according to a document by a federal probation officer that was filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court.\nVick, who has admitted bankrolling a dogfighting operation on property he owns in Surry County in his written federal plea, is scheduled for sentencing Dec. 10. He faces up to five years in prison.\nBecause Vick violated the conditions of his release, Hudson could take that into consideration during sentencing, said Linda Malone, a criminal procedure expert and Marshall-Wythe Foundation professor of law at the College of William and Mary.\n“Every judge considers pretty seriously if they feel that the defendant has flaunted the conditions for release,” Malone said. “It’s certainly not a smart thing to do.”\nOn Tuesday, Vick also was indicted on state charges of beating or killing or causing dogs to fight other dogs and engaging in or promoting dogfighting. Each felony is punishable by up to five years in prison.\nThe 27-year-old former Virginia Tech star was placed under pretrial release supervision by U.S. Magistrate Dennis Dohnal in July. The restrictions included refraining from use or unlawful possession of narcotic drugs or other controlled substances.\nThe random drug testing ordered Wednesday could include urine testing, the wearing of a sweat patch, a remote alcohol testing system or any form of prohibited substance screening or testing.\nHudson’s order also requires Vick to participate in inpatient or outpatient substance therapy and mental health counseling, if the pretrial services officer or supervising officer deem it appropriate. Vick must pay for the treatment.\nVick’s attorney Billy Martin also represents Idaho Sen. Larry Craig, who pleaded guilty in an airport sex sting.\nDuring a press conference about Craig on Wednesday, Martin was asked to comment on Vick. He declined, saying only, “I’m sure that in the future we’ll have something to say regarding Mr. Vick, but not now.”\nIn January, Vick was cleared by police of any wrongdoing after his water bottle was seized by security at Miami International Airport. Police said it smelled of marijuana and had a hidden compartment that contained a “small amount of dark particulate.”\nLab tests found no evidence of drugs, and Vick explained that he used the secret compartment to carry jewelry.\nThe federal dogfighting case began in late April when authorities conducting a drug investigation of Vick’s cousin raided the property and seized dozens of dogs, most of them pit bulls, and equipment commonly associated with dogfighting.\nSix weeks later, when the local investigation seemed to be dragging and a local search warrant was allowed to expire, federal agents arrived with their own warrants and started digging up dog carcasses buried days before the first raid.\nVick has admitted helping to kill six to eight dogs, among other things. His three co-defendants also have pleaded guilty. One of them, Quanis Phillips, failed a drug test and was ordered jailed after his plea.\nPhillips and co-defendants Tony Taylor and Purnell Peace were placed on electronic monitoring at the time of their arraignments because they had prior criminal records.\nVick had no prior criminal record, so monitoring is the next step for him, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. Another failed drug test likely would land him in jail.