Former Penguin Ryan Malone Arrested In Tampa
TAMPA, Fla. (AP/KDKA) - Police say Tampa Bay Lightning left wing and Upper St. Clair native Ryan Malone has been charged with DUI and possession of cocaine.
Tampa Police Lt. Paul Lusczynski says Malone's breath smelled like alcohol when he was stopped by an officer early Saturday. According to a police report, the officer also found 1.3 grams of cocaine in one of Malone's pockets.
Lusczynski says Malone refused to take field sobriety tests, but a breath test given at the jail recorded blood alcohol levels of 0.112 and 0.116 percent. Florida law considers a driver impaired at 0.08.
Malone was released from the Hillsborough County jail on $2,500 bond. Jail records didn't show whether he had an attorney.
Malone formerly played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, before leaving for the Lightning in 2009.
Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman says Malone won't travel with the team for a game Sunday against the Washington Capitals.
TSN Legal Analyst Eric Macramalla told Bob Pompeani that the charges are very serious.
"This drug possession, this cocaine possession, is absolutely serious. This is a massively big deal," Macramalla said. "In the state of Florida, this is a felony."
Pompeani asked what sentence Malone could realistically face if convicted.
"If all of that is indeed true, I don't see jail time, Bob, but I do see a long probation period and I do see rehab with the view to getting him back and sober," Macramalla said.
Eric Macramalla on Ryan Malone Arrest
(Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
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