INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 11 (UPI) -- Indiana Pacers forward Shawne Williams was arrested early Tuesday in Indianapolis on a marijuana possession charge.
Williams, who was released a few hours later without having to post bail, also faces several driving charges, including driving without a valid license, driving with an expired license plate and failing to signal a lane change, The Indianapolis Star reported. He has a court hearing scheduled Friday.
Two passengers face charges, one for possession of a stolen handgun and the other for marijuana possession.
A police officer said that he pulled Williams over after spotting a Cadillac Escalade changing lanes without signaling. The officer said that he noticed a strong odor of marijuana when the driver pulled down the window.
Williams was the Pacers’ first-round draft pick last year.
“We are extremely disappointed concerning the arrest of Shawne Williams early this morning,” Pacers President Larry Bird said in a statement. "Although the legal process needs to be followed, we will not accept Shawne putting himself in this position, regardless of innocence or guilt.”
