Former NFL fullback Le'Ron McClain was arrested on a felony count of trafficking in synthetic controlled substances Wednesday night, according to AL.com. McClain, who was an All-Pro in 2008 and 2009, last played for the Chargers, who cut him in March to save salary cap space.


According to the report, the West Alabama Narcotics Task Force found 122 grams of spice (also known as synthetic cannabis) on McClain "during the course of another investigation." For an unknown reason McClain was not arrested immediately, but told a warrant was in the offing. When police went to serve the warrant at his home Wednesday night, McClain's mother told them that he had fled the state. He was arrested three hours later in Tuscaloosa, so evidently he didn't get too far.

Spice used to be as ubiquitous in convenience stores as 5-Hour Energy, and was frequently sold as incense with a "not fit for human consumption" label. It is essentially common herbs sprayed with a variety of possible chemicals to get you high, and was effectively banned in 2012 when many of the most frequently used compounds were deemed Schedule 1 drugs by the Synthetic Drug Abuse Prevention Act of 2012.


McClain was expected to be given a $500,000 bond when booked in Tuscaloosa County Jail. If found guilty, the mandatory minimum sentence under Alabama state law is a three-year prison sentence and $50,000 fine.

[AL.com]

Photo via Gregory Bull/AP