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April 1, 2012

At least if the police report is accurate.

Pittsburgh police arrested Fleming, 21, of Reisterstown, Md., about 10 p.m. Friday outside One Stop Mini Mart on the Boulevard of the Allies in Oakland.

As Fleming exited the store and got into his Ford Taurus, police approached and attempted to stop him for a traffic violation. Fleming pulled away and attempted to hit the marked police car before crashing into a guard rail, according to a criminal complaint.

Fleming then shoved a plastic bag containing marijuana in his mouth and started to swallow, authorities said. Officers pulled Fleming from the car and, after failing to remove the bag, punched him, successfully dislodging the drugs from his mouth, the criminal complaint states.

Despite commands to remain on the ground, Fleming struggled with officers before being handcuffed, authorities said.

He was evaluated at UPMC Mercy, Uptown, and taken to the Allegheny County Jail, where he was being held in lieu of $10,000 bond. Police charged Fleming with two counts of aggravated assault, resisting arrest, fleeing or eluding police, drug possession, tampering with evidence and vehicular offenses.

What ever your feelings on drug laws, if Carl Fleming thought he could swallow the baggie of dope, he probably did not have a quantity sufficient to take this beyond a misdemeanor — and likely a summary offense at that. Not good, but hardly career ending for a 1-A scholarship football player.

That apparently wasn’t good enough for Fleming, though. If he was going to get busted. It would be in a full-blown panic of one stupid decision after another in a very brief span. Fleeing cops. Possibly trying to hit the squad car — and failing. Trying to swallow the evidence. Resisting arrest.

Fleming took a relatively minor, single point in the Fulmer Cup event. And upped the ante. For the panic under pressure and sheer stupidity, I imagine Fleming’s immediate suspension will eventually be a more permanent removal from the team.





Calling Bobby DelGreco.

Comment by alcofan 04.01.12 @ 4:40 pm

Idiot!

Comment by Dan 72 04.01.12 @ 4:45 pm

probably went from an ungraded misdemeanor–either a 30 gram or less minor drug charge or simple possession—to two felonies and a M-2 resisting arrest. Really stupid. probably panicked, which a linebacker cannot do (tic).

Ernie Borghetti and Chris Lasala can handle this w/o Bobby D. They are regrettably experienced in minimizing Fulmer Cup pts. Austin Ransom got ARD (1st time offender program) for Agg Assault a few yrs back (no drugs involved; just minor scuffle w/police).

Fleming may be gone, though, as Chryst will want to send a strong message to team.

Comment by Bossdaws 04.01.12 @ 5:03 pm

what a jackass should have went for a pizza or a sub or beer or SHOTS OF JD

YOU WILL BE FORGIVEN FOR BEING DRUNK BUT NOT FOR POT.
WHAT A PUTZ

Comment by Frankcan 04.01.12 @ 5:54 pm

Kick him off now. He’s not even good.

Comment by Tony C 04.01.12 @ 6:23 pm

Coach Chryst will turn this into a positive for the TEAM. There are three sides to every story and Mr. Fleming appears to be on the wrong side of all three sides. If Fleming was smart, he would call Chryst, ask to be permanently removed from the Team until the process plays out. This goes to accepting accountability for his own actions, separating himself from the program.

And, once he pays for his crime, he comes back in a consultative role first to speak to the young players on the team about making bad decisions and how they can affect your life. Fleming had no idea when the night started that his entire life was about to change because of a series of unfortunate decisions.He can help young players if he is first able to earn the opportunity.

This is not about the two deep. LB’s, depending on some health issues, may be a weakness for the program this year. This is about life lessons for young men. Now do the right thing Mr. Fleming. The story can end up being a positive.There are many of us that worked out of similar circumstances. It’s your turn, now step up.

Comment by dhuffdaddy 04.01.12 @ 6:50 pm

This is no excuse but I have seen many times in Oakland and the Southside kids panic and then get the living crap beat out of them by our men in blue. Who knows he may have been double parked after buying some munchies in the mini-mart.

Comment by JP 04.01.12 @ 7:29 pm

Stupid is as stupid does.

Comment by SFPitt 04.01.12 @ 7:57 pm

Dhuff, I certainly appreciate the sentiment, but not exactly sure how likely Fleming or very many other 21+ year old “ex-cons” would end up in the role you described. Is that a paid consultancy? With a salary? If not, how will he pay for a place to live or buy food or clothing? If the worse case plays out, he will be back out the street in 2-4 years at age 26 with no degree, an unhireable criminal record (and just as likely an unhireable demeanor).

Hopefully for his sake (not necessarily because he deserves it), things don’t go that route and he doesn’t get much more than a slap on the wrist and more importantly has some sort of family support system to get him pointed in the right direction so he can do the things you mentioned.

Doesn’t look good, sadly.

Comment by cnorwoodaz 04.01.12 @ 8:07 pm

Pittsburgh police look more like idiots than Fleming. How many boys in black took on the 21-year-old? Dragging him out of the car then punching him…hmmm if this is all over a minor drug offense then the Pittsburgh police are one f’d up organization.

Comment by TonyinHouston 04.01.12 @ 8:41 pm

This is almost as good as Jason Douglas’s attempt to avoid getting arrested by saying “I play for Pitt football. Don’t arrest me.”

Comment by Greg 04.01.12 @ 8:43 pm

Sorry Tony, but I’m not buying what you’re saying. We are talking about some big boys and if that kid had the proper adrenaline rush I can imagine he was tough to take down. Can’t blame the police for that. I remember a cop telling me a story about a guy similar to Fleming’s stature and bulk that needed 6 police officers and a taser gun to take him down. Once again, we are talking about some big dudes here.

Comment by Timmeh 04.01.12 @ 8:51 pm

Now just please don’t tell me that Carl was wearing a hoodie when arrested.

Comment by Dr. Tom 04.01.12 @ 9:23 pm

Do these guys really think they will overpower the police and run away without anyone chasing them down? If you’re that dumb, you most definitely don’t need to be high on top of that. Just laugh and say, ‘ya got me’, and be suspended for two games instead of losing your scholarship and dignity. Truly amazing.

Comment by Matt N. 04.01.12 @ 10:26 pm

The OneStop is a long-time shady lil spot in S Oakland. I loved it.

Comment by Yup 04.01.12 @ 10:40 pm

Wasn’t Pitt ranked #1 in arrests last year with 22? Either way, we’re off to a good start again!

Comment by JyD 04.02.12 @ 6:37 am

He should have just told them he was from CA and needed the weed for medical reasons. I’m still not sure why the cops stopped him getting into his car as he left the store. I hope they had reasonable cause and not just racial profiling. It’s a shame such a potential mess from a little weed. … And you never know the real story with Pittsburgh cops.

Comment by Dish 04.02.12 @ 6:45 am

Tony – I wouldn’t be surprised if the police punched Fleming in the sternum because he was choking on the plastic baggie he tried to swallow.

Comment by Reed 04.02.12 @ 7:05 am

Should I know the name Carl Fleming???

Comment by Coach Ditka 04.02.12 @ 9:50 am

A tragic story and a tough lesson to learn. I wish someone would have given me a scholarship to Pitt. But my summer’s working in J&L paid off. I was too poor and too tired to do anything but work, study and go to class. What a shame. What the he.. was this guy thinking?.

Pitt needs to raise their entrance standings for its in-coming athletes.

Comment by MariettaMIke 04.02.12 @ 12:02 pm

Let’s hope that the kid can recover from this mistake provided that he is contrite. Hate to write off an 18-20 year old for mistakes that many have made…right?

The older you get the more thanks you say to the guy above for sparing you from the bonehead mistakes that you made at a young invincible age.

HTP

Comment by PITT Fan In Atlanta 04.02.12 @ 12:27 pm

For most mistakes, most kids deserve to earn a second chance.

Comment by TX Panther 04.02.12 @ 4:15 pm

Ditka – JR LB, 2nd string at best.

Comment by Reed 04.03.12 @ 6:38 am

[…] injuries and attempts to swallow a bag of marijuana, have reduced the depth of the linebacking corps this spring. The good news is that depth will […]


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