New Orleans Saints defensive tackle David Onyemata will be suspended for the first game of the 2019 season, but he will not face prosecution in court following an arrest earlier this year, per Ramon Antonio Vargas of the Advocate. Vargas reports that Onyemata completed a pretrial diversionary program and was fully cooperative with authorities throughout the process, allowing him to leave the incident with just a citation.
As Vargas reported, a package seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Buffalo prompted a raid on Onyemata’s apartment in New Orleans’ Elmwood neighborhood. Jefferson Parish sheriff’s deputies found 3 ounces of marijuana and related paraphernalia inside the unit, which was believed to be for Onyemata’s personal use.
Marijuana is a banned substance in most cases in Louisiana, and incidents involving possession or use are punishable under the NFL’s substance-abuse policy, leading to Onyemata’s suspension. Nevertheless, it is seen as an alternative to painkiller pills among NFL players; recently retired Philadelphia Eagles pass rusher Chris Long admitted to using it frequently throughout his playing career, while former New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett estimated that 89% of players do so.
Onyemata was fortunate to avoid a longer suspension, much less potential jail time, in this instance. His cooperation with the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office and completion of the diversionary program helped him dodge prosecution. Still, the incident is something that could factor into contract talks with the Saints down the road; his rookie deal is set to expire after the season, making the fourth-year defensive tackle an unrestricted free agent in March.
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