Update: On Sept. 2, All-Star pitcher Chris Perez pled no contest to having a package containing 5.8 ounces of marijuana delivered to his house near Cleveland on June 4.
A babysitter accepted the package. The Indians' closer and his wife Melanie arrived shortly thereafter to find Rocky River police, the U.S. Postal Service and the West Shore Enforcement Bureau (Rocky River is nine miles west of Cleveland and borders Lake Erie) waiting for them at their rental residence on 19850 Parklane Dr.
The package came from Los Angeles and was addressed to Brody Baum (their dog is named Brody and Melanie's maiden name is Baum). During a search of the house, authorities found an additional stash of marijuana in Mason jars and a metal grinder in the basement. Melanie was also arrested.
In Ohio, possession of between 100-200 grams of marijuana is a misdemeanor with maximum penalties of 30 days in jail and a $250 fine. Perez was fined $250, placed on one-year probation and required to give a 20-minute anti-drug speech at the local high school. Melanie also pled no contest, but she wasn't sentenced.
Perez was on the disabled list with a strained rotator cuff in his right shoulder when the arrest happened. He currently has a 5-2 record with 21 saves (out of 25 chances) and a 3.15 ERA. He was named to the American League All-Star squad the last two seasons, during which he saved 75 games.
