Police: NBA Player Not Target Of Drug Investigation

Memphis Grizzlies Player Zach Randolph Named In Affidavit

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(Photo courtesy: NBA)

Posted: 05/28/2010
Last Updated: 1094 days ago

Indianapolis police are backing off accusations against an NBA player and former Marion basketball standout named in a drug investigation.

According to a probable cause affidavit, a trusted police informant identified Memphis Grizzlies player Zach Randolph as a major marijuana supplier in Indianapolis.

It comes after police said an associate of Randolph's -- Arthur Boyd, 32 -- was pulled over and arrested after leaving a known drug house with marijuana and ammunition in the vehicle, which is registered to the basketball player.

Police later raided a northeast side storage facility, where Randolph rents four lockers, and said a police K-9 alerted to controlled substances. They also said they found more cars with secret compartments, often used to hide drugs, police said.

The police informant is also quoted in the affidavit as having told investigators that Randolph was known to provide individuals with expensive cars and access to his Geist Reservoir waterfront home.

Randolph's attorney, John Tompkins, told 6News that Boyd worked for his client, and that Randolph's vehicle has secret compartments as a safety precaution for concealing valuables.

"He is not in any way whatsoever involved in any kind of drug ring," Tompkins said. "He's beside himself, because he has made a concerted effort to get a better image.

Police spokesman Lt. Jeff Duhamell confirmed to 6News on Thursday that Randolph is not the center of an investigation.

"That Randolph owns the vehicles and the house, that in and of itself is not enough to charge someone," Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi told 6News' Rafael Sanchez.

Randolph issued a statement Thursday evening criticizing police.

"It is so unsettling to work so hard at rebuilding the trust of the Grizzlies organization, my teammates and my family only to have my image tarnished by someone else’s questionable behavior," the statement read. "I would like to thank my family, the Grizzlies, and the city of Memphis for their continued support."

Some defense lawyers with knowledge of the case were also critical of how police handled the investigation.

"The real story is about the outrageous police conduct. They get a criminal who says he knows a guy, who knows a guy, who knows a famous guy. They get so excited … they nearly wet themselves and started violating the Constitution and taking the famous guy's property," said Dave Hennessey. "Then they hold the famous guy and his family up for public humiliation by feeding their unsubstantiated allegations to the media."

Randolph's attorney said that now that his client's address has been made public, he will put the home up for sale due to security reasons.

Randolph has a long criminal history. He was convicted of battery and sentenced to house arrest in 1997, and spent time in a juvenile detention center in 1999 for selling a stolen gun.

Three years later, he was arrested on charges of underage drinking, and faced charges in Portland after police said they could smell marijuana coming from his car.

Randolph's latest arrest was in 2009 on charges of drunken driving in Los Angeles.

"Although I had a rough start, I’ve learned valuable lessons from all of my mistakes and I can assure my family, the Grizzlies and the city of Indianapolis I was not involved in any of the allegations. There were no controlled substances found in my locker. The reports that have surfaced are inaccurate," his statement read.

The high school basketball star grew up in Marion and attended Marion High School, where he helped lead his team to the 2000 Class 4A State Championship.

After playing one season at Michigan State University, Randolph was drafted in the first round by the Portland Blazers and went on to play with the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Clippers before being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in July of 2009.

More Information: Zach Randolph's Full Statement


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