Former Purdue player Lewis Jackson arrested

MACON COUNTY, Ill. — Former Purdue basketball player Lewis Jackson was arrested on drug charges over the weekend near his hometown of Decatur, Illinois.

According to WAND-TV, the Macon County Sheriff's Office pulled Jackson over around 1:30 p.m. Saturday. A police dog indicated there might be illegal drugs in the car.

According to the news account, deputies found more than 70 grams of heroin, two Xanax pills, and 8.4 grams of marijuana inside the car. Jackson was booked in the Macon County Jail and posted bond Monday.

Per Illinois law, possession of 15-99 grams of heroin is a Class 1 felony punishable by 4-15 years in prison.

At Purdue, Jackson was suspended for two exhibition games at the start of his sophomore season for a violation of team rules. Jackson had been arrested the previous April and pleaded guilty to charges of illegal alcohol consumption and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jackson was a four-year starting point guard for the Boilermakers from 2009-13. He ranks seventh in Purdue history in total assists, second in assist-to-turnover ratio and eighth in assists average. He was a two-time candidate for the Bob Cousy Award.

Following his Purdue career, Jackson played one year in Lithuania and spent parts of four seasons in the NBA Developmental League.

Reach Journal & Courier Purdue basketball reporter Nathan Baird at 765-420-5234. Follow on Twitter: @nbairdjc.