Thread: Snoop Dogg Busted at Same Border Crossing That Snared Willie Nelson

January 10, 2012, 9:35 am

Snoop Dogg Busted at Same Border Crossing That Snared Willie Nelson

By DAVE ITZKOFF



If it’s your job to plan the touring schedule of rebellious rock, hip-hop and country musicians, you might consider organizing future itineraries to avoid the Sierra Blanca highway checkpoint near El Paso. It was there, The Associated Press reported, that the rapper Snoop Dogg was arrested on Saturday for a misdemeanor drug charge, which might not be newsworthy in and of itself, except that Willie Nelson was busted at that same border crossing in 2010.

In the case of Snoop Dogg, the hip-hop star was done in by a real snoop dog, which sniffed out some marijuana cigarettes on his tour bus after a border agent smelled pot on the vehicle. A little more than two ounces of the drug were turned up, The A.P. said, and the rapper, whose real name is Calvin Broadus, was cited for possession of drug paraphernalia and released. Judge Becky Dean-Walker of Hudspeth County told The A.P. that these cases are usually resolved by a no-contest plea and a mailed-in fine of up to $500.

That wasn’t quite what happened when Mr. Nelson was stopped there on Nov. 26, 2010, and a similar search of his bus turned up about six ounces of marijuana. Kit Bramblett, a local prosecutor, said initially that Mr. Nelson could pay his debt to society with a small fine and by appearing in court to sing “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain.” But Judge Becky Dean-Walker quickly shot down the proposed plea deal, calling it a joke that “got out of hand.” As recently as last July Mr. Bramblett and Judge Dean-Walker were still at odds about an appropriate penalty for Mr. Nelson; the final disposition of the case was not immediately clear.

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/20...willie-nelson/

Celebrity marijuana busts, action-hero sheriff’s deputy putting dusty West Texas county on map

By Associated Press, Updated: Saturday, January 28, 8:04 AM

SIERRA BLANCA, Texas — Nestled among the few remaining businesses that dot a rundown highway in this dusty West Texas town stands what’s become a surprise destination for marijuana-toting celebrities: the Hudspeth County Jail.

Willie Nelson, Snoop Dogg and actor Armie Hammer have been among the thousands of people busted for possession at a Border Patrol checkpoint outside town in recent years, bringing a bit of notoriety to one of Texas’ most sparsely populated counties.

The town of Sierra Blanca, Texas, which is losing more and more residents every year, is attracting nationwide attention as a magnet for pot-toting celebrities who have been arrested for possession at a Border Patrol checkpoint outside town. Hammer was arrested Nov. 20, 2011, at a border patrol checkpoint in West Texas after a drug sniffing dog discovered marijuana in his car. The 25-year-old, who starred with Leonardo DiCaprio in “J. Edgar,” spent about a day in jail before paying a $1,000 bond.

“Once I was in Arizona, and when I said where I was from, they said, ‘That’s where Willie Nelson was busted,’” said Louise Barantley, manager at the Coyote Sunset souvenir shop in Sierra Blanca.

Hudspeth County cameos aren’t only for outlaws: Action movie star Steven Seagal, who’s already deputized in Louisiana and Arizona for his reality show “Steven Seagal Lawman” on A&E, has signed on to become a county officer.

Locals already have found ways to rub shoulders with their celebrity guests.

Deputies posed for pictures with Snoop Dogg after authorities said they found several joints on his bus earlier this month. When Nelson was busted here in 2010, the county’s lead prosecutor suggested the singer settle his marijuana charges by performing “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” for the court. Nelson paid a fine instead, but not before county commissioner Wayne West played one of his own songs for the country music legend.

West acknowledged he’s a big fan of Nelson and wanted to capitalize on a golden chance to perform for such a noted “captive audience.”

“Willie loved the song, he is a real outgoing individual” he added.

The once-thriving town of Sierra Blanca began to shrink to its current 1,000-person population after the construction of nearby Interstate 10 — a main artery linking cities from California to Florida — offered an easy way to bypass the community.

Now the highway is sending thousands of drug bust cases Sierra Blanca’s way, courtesy of a Border Patrol checkpoint just outside of town where drug-sniffing dogs inspect more than 17,000 trucks, travelers — and tour buses — daily for whiffs of contraband that may have made its wait inland from the border.

Hudspeth County Sheriff Arvin West, younger brother of the musically inclined commissioner, said his office handled about 2,000 cases last year, most of them having to do with drugs seized at the checkpoint.

Border Patrol agents say people busted with small amounts of pot often say they have medical marijuana licenses from California, Arizona or New Mexico — three states along I-10 that, unlike Texas, allow for medicinal pot prescriptions — and claim to believe the licenses were valid nationwide.

Nelson’s publicists declined to comment about the specifics of the singer’s case. Representatives for Snoop Dogg, who will pay a fine and court costs after being cited for possession of marijuana paraphernalia, did not return several messages seeking comment.

County authorities have not yet decided whether to prosecute or issue a citation for Hammer, who starred in the 2010 film “The Social Network” and more recently played FBI’s number two man in “Edgar J.” He was arrested in November after authorities said they found marijuana-laced brownies and cookies on his way to his wife’s bakery in San Antonio. His attorney Kent Schaffer has called the case a “total non-issue.”

Local officials say they’re not on a celebrity witch hunt, but some residents are enjoying the publicity from the high-profile arrests. They say the once forgotten town of Sierra Blanca should take pride in not pandering to famous people caught breaking the law.

“We get attention because something is being done right,” resident Adolfo Gonzalez said while shopping at a local convenience store. “It’d be worse if we’d let them go because they are celebrities.”

That’s not expected to change when Segal comes to town. Sheriff West insists the “Under Siege” star hasn’t indicated any plans to film his show here — but the sheriff isn’t ruling it out.

“If he wants to, we can do it but that’s not what he said this was about,” West said.

West’s spokesman, Rusty Flemming, said Seagal will patrol the area and train colleagues in martial arts and weapons techniques. The actor is expected to arrive in Hudspeth County within months, once he’s done filming a new movie in Canada.

Segal’s management agency did not return calls and emails seeking comment about his plans in Texas.

Commissioner West, meanwhile, is keeping his musical skills sharp — just in case another performer pays a surprise visit to the county jail. The lead guitarist and vocalist of a local band, West said he regrets not having a chance to sing for Snoop Dogg, but wasn’t sure if the rapper would have enjoyed the performance anyway.

“Our stuff is laid back,” he said. “Mas o menos (more or less) country.”

Celebrity marijuana busts, action-hero sheriff’s deputy putting dusty West Texas county on map - The Washington Post