Report: UCLA's Foster Cops Plea
Leading UCLA rusher DeShaun Foster reportedly pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge although he says he's never smoked the drug and was a victim of circumstance.
Bruins coach Bob Toledo told the Los Angeles Times he believed the July 7 incident was isolated, and didn't punish the junior tailback.
"I strongly believe what he is telling me," Toledo said. "He was guilty of having it. He wasn't guilty of using it."
Foster said he has never tested positive for drugs at UCLA, which randomly tests all athletes. According to Ventura County court records, he paid a $250 fine after pleading guilty Aug. 2.
In a story published Wednesday, senior Deputy Takeo Kingi of the Ventura County Sheriff's Department told the Times he and his partner, patrolling a hotel parking lot during a dance in Thousand Oaks, noticed a parked car with its lights on.
The deputies discovered Foster inside with the marijuana in plain view, Kingi said.
Foster said when door monitors at the dance told him he would not be allowed inside wearing a hat, he told his friends he would take the hat to the car. One of his friends asked Foster to bring back a container, he said, which turned out to hold the marijuana.
"You learn from your mistakes," Foster said. "I know I did something wrong. I'm taking responsibility for this. I paid the fine, and that was substantial. I'll never put myself in that situation again."
Foster pleaded guilty to one count of possession of one ounce or less of marijuana, and paid the fine through the mail.
Foster broke his right hand in the second quarter of No. 13 UCLA's 38-31 victory over Arizona State on Sept. 30, and is expected to be sidelined at least two more weeks.
The 6-foot-1, 217-pounder has rushed for 501 yards on 123 carries and scored six touchdowns in UCLA's five games this season.
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