ROCKY RIVER, Ohio -- Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Chris Perez pleaded no contest this morning to drug abuse, a fourth-degree misdemeanor, and was found guilty of receiving a small package of marijuana mailed to his Parklane Drive home on June 4.

Municipal Judge Brian Hagan sentenced Perez, the Tribe's 28-year-old closer, to pay a $250 fine and to serve one year of probation. During that time, Perez must complete Major League Baseball's drug-treatment program and present a 15- to 20-minute talk to students at Rocky River High School about the dangers of drugs.

"You're highly regarded, kids look up to you," Hagan said. "But you made a big mistake. I hope that through your efforts you can deter someone else from making that same mistake."

Perez's wife, Melanie, also appeared in court and entered a plea to minor drug possession. If a drug test of her hair follicles comes up clean she will pay a $50 fine and will not be required to serve probation, said City Prosecutor Michael O'Shea.

The six-ounce bag of marijuana was sent from Los Angeles and addressed to Brody Baum, the couple's dog. Police seized the pot plus two pipes, a bong and several items of drug paraphernalia found in a basement kitchen. Chris Perez said the drugs and items belonged to him.

The package of marijuana was discovered after a postal supervisor smelled the weed and called a postal inspector, who opened the package, resealed it and delivered it to the home. An undercover officer posing as a delivery man approached Melanie Perez, who confirmed the packages were for the dog. Baum is her maiden name.

The couple then went to lunch and a movie, leaving their two children with a baby sitter. When they returned, police were inside searching the home.

By pleading no contest to the charge, Perez did not make a formal admission of guilt but did not deny the facts of the case. Hagan found Perez guilty.

Defense attorney Terry Gilbert said Perez already is participating in the Major League Baseball's "very rigorous" drug-treatment program, and that he is subject to regular drug tests.

"For all intents and purposes his life is on a good track," Gilbert said.