New England Patriots safety Patrick Chung was indicted on charges of cocaine possession in New Hampshire, TMZ reports. Police believe the 9-year member of the Pats knowingly had cocaine on his person on June 25 in Meredith, NH, where he owns a home. His arraignment is scheduled for August 28.
No official story on Chung's encounter with police has been released. Boston sports radio host Jim Murray reports via an unnamed source that police were called to Chung's home to respond to a possible break-in. The police then noticed the cocaine during their inspection of the house.
Though a potential conviction is a long way off, Chung should have reason to worry. New Hampshire has some of the strictest cocaine laws in the country. Possessing any amount of the drug in the state is automatically a felony and could result in prison time. First time offenders face fines of up to $2,000 and 7 years in prison. The state does offer alternatives if offenders are found to be non-violent, wherein they can agree to seek treatment and be on probation.
The Patriots have declined to comment on Chung's charges, stating that they will not speak on it while the case is ongoing.
