In some ways, he’s best known as the man who let the Denver Broncos’ Peyton Manning go. In other ways, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay is known as a figure given to sometimes controversial statements and occasional run-ins with law enforcement.
He was arrested for driving under the influence just over two months ago, but was recently formally charged with two misdemeanors: one count of operating his vehicle while intoxicated and one count of operating with a Schedule I or Schedule II controlled substance in his body.
According to a TV station report from Indianapolis, court documents indicate that the substances in Irsay’s body at the time of his March 16 arrest were oxycodone or hydrocodone or a combination of the two.
Though the controlled substance charge is a misdemeanor, Irsay could spend up to two months in jail if he is convicted. However, the TV station says legal experts have doubts that Irsay will spend time behind bars for the alleged violations.
One criminal defense attorney who has handled similar cases says that if Irsay accepts a plea agreement to either of the charges, he will likely be given probation.
Irsay was pulled over by an officer who said he witnessed the team owner driving erratically. Irsay reportedly said to the officer that he was new to the area and looking for his recently purchased home in a subdivision.
The owner has apparently been attending substance abuse treatments since his release following the arrest. He was in a treatment facility for an undisclosed amount of time.
The TV station reports that charges were delayed while the Colts owner’s blood was analyzed for prescription substances.
Source: Fox59.com, “Colts’ Jim Irsay officially charged following March OWI arrest,” May 23, 2014