Rams Running Back Tre Mason Arrested
Tre Mason, the running back for the Los Angeles Rams, was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of marijuana possession, misdemeanor reckless driving, and failing to register a motor vehicle in Hollywood, Fla. as reported by the Broward County Clerk of Courts.
According to AP, a police report revealed that Mason was pulled over on a beach-side road when he was caught driving more than twice the speed limit in a 35-mile-per-hour speed zone. The Los Angeles Times noted that Mason initially drove away from the officer and had to stop when his Porsche sports car was blocked by another vehicle.
The trouble really started when Mason refused to exit his car, which was said to have smelled of marijuana. He also failed to provide the patrol officer with his name or any identification. The report stated that 12 grams of marijuana were found inside the car and that Mason started to record his interaction with the officer. The officer was fine with it, but Mason still needed to provide identification.
“I warned the defendant if he did not identify himself he would be subject to arrest and he smirked as he was making eye contact,” said Officer Lester Cochenour in a report.
Coechenour told Mason he was under arrest and attempted to remove him from the car by grabbing his left arm. Mason, according to the police report, resisted and “braced himself against the car’s floor, seat and steering wheel.” Another officer came to help Coechenour remove Mason from the vehicle.
According to ABC 10, when all these efforts failed, the 22-year-old was warned that if he didn’t cooperate with the police, he would be shot with a stun gun. He eventually was stunned by police in his pelvic area, while still trying to “pull away.”
“The defendant showed unusual resistance to the first three seconds of the Taser application with little pain compliance,” read the report.
He was later taken into custody and then for medical clearance at a local hospital, as reported by ESPN.
“While he was there, bond was posted for him so he was released from police custody and never had to go to jail,” said Jaime Hernandez, a spokesperson for the Hollywood Police Department.
Furthermore, police said that his Porsche didn’t have registration or an assigned plate number when they conducted a search on the vehicle’s identification number.
On Sunday, the Rams released a statement expressing their concern about Tre Mason’s arrest.
“We are very disappointed to learn of an incident involving Tre Mason in the Miami, Fla. area Saturday afternoon,” the Rams said in the statement. “We are in the process of obtaining more information about the facts surrounding this incident and will have no further comment at this time.”
Twitter users also shared the news of Tre Mason’s arrest, some with a humorous spin.
“Depending on the outcome of Mason’s case, he could face potential discipline from the NFL,” said Joseph Zucker, a columnist for Bleacher Report.“Should Mason miss any time to start the 2016 season, it could jeopardize his place on the Rams roster.”
Tre Mason is preparing for a third season with the Rams and has rushed 207 yards and caught 18 passes for 88 yards according to The Los Angeles Times.
Lawrence Pereira of Fansided has called Tre Mason’s tenure “a Tale of Two Seasons.”
“While Mason had a poor year in 2015, there is no reason to suggest he will not at least have the opportunity to put up some better numbers in the next campaign,” said Pereira.
“Tre’s going to have, got to have a great offseason program,” said Jeff Fisher, the Rams’ coach, who noted that Mason and his teammates are “as good a group” to be found in the league.
Fisher continued, “He’s got to put the commitment in wherever he is and get ready for camp and have a great preseason.”
[Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images]
