Saginaw Valley State University softball coach charged with drunken driving, marijuana possession

The Saginaw News

January 09, 2010, 3:47AM

Saginaw County prosecutors say Saginaw Valley State University’s head softball coach possessed marijuana and was under the influence of alcohol Nov. 8 when he drove his vehicle into a ditch.

Everett C. Roper is charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and possessing marijuana, two misdemeanors that carry maximum penalties of 93 days and 1 year in jail, respectively.

 
Roper, 43, who lives at 565 Plainfield in Thomas Township, has 10 business days from Jan. 7 to appear in Saginaw County District Court for arraignment.

Roper’s Bay City-based attorney, Adam Reddick, said he will enter a not guilty plea on Roper’s behalf

“Mr. Roper denies the charges against him, and we plan on fighting them,” Reddick said, adding that he had yet to see the police report regarding the incident.

Thomas Township Police Sgt. Gary Breidinger said in November that Roper was headed west on State just west of River about 11 p.m. when he drove into a ditch. Roper’s home on Plainfield is about two miles southwest of where Breidinger said he crashed.

Breidinger said Roper took a Breathalyzer test that indicated that he was over the state’s legal limit of 0.08. Investigators and prosecutors were awaiting the results of toxicology tests by the state police crime lab of Roper’s blood and possible marijuana before filing charges.

University spokesman J.J. Boehm said he’s not familiar with any previous similar situations with athletic coaches.

“This is something that we will continue to follow closely, but at this point, Coach Roper is entitled to the same presumption of innocence as any other citizen,” Boehm said.

SVSU hired Roper as coach in August 2007. His team has enjoyed national success, losing in the NCAA Division II Softball Midwest Regional championship in May — the last step before the Division II World Series.

A first-time drunken driving conviction carries a maximum penalty of 93 days in jail and/or $100 to $500 in fines and/or 360 hours of community service. A first-time marijuana possession conviction has a maximum penalty of one year in jail or $2,000 in fines.

In addition, the Thomas Township Police Department has requested Roper pay $265 in reimbursements, including $165 for the blood test.

 http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2010/01/saginaw_valley_state_universit_36.html