Ex-Bulldog denies drug charges, claims police harassment

FRESNO – A former Fresno State basketball player has pleaded not guilty to drug charges stemming from an arrest last April, despite rock cocaine and packaged marijuana being discovered at his residence.

Dwight O’Neil ex-Bulldogs guard pleaded not guilty to two felony charges

Dwight O’Neil, 25, who played for the Bulldogs from 2004 to 2009, entered his plea Tuesday morning in Fresno Superior Court. His next hearing is scheduled for April 26.

The ex-Bulldogs guard pleaded not guilty to two felony charges of possession of marijuana and for the sale and possession of cocaine on Tuesday. He was arrested April 12, 2010 after police received reports of drugs being sold at his home located on the 3900 block of East White Avenue in south Fresno.

Once police entered the home, they found $2,700 in cash, 8.9 grams of rock cocaine and 3.9 ounces of packaged marijuana.

Contradicting the police department’s account, O’Neil denies that he was under the influence of cocaine or other illicit substances while being placed under arrest. He also told the court that he’s never tested positive for any drug, even during his playing days.

“I never had one dirty test,” O’Neil said. “They’re lying. I wasn’t under the influence or they would have charged me.”

He also claims that the discovered cash was not from drug sales, but from the sale of his car and that he had the paperwork to prove it. O’Neil admitted knowing about the marijuana inside his house, but claims it wasn’t his and that he had relatives visiting him at the time.

He even told the superior court that he feels like that he’s misunderstood by police, especially since this latest incident makes it his second arrest since 2009.

“I’m just tired of being harassed,” O’Neil said.

During his senior season, O’Neil was arrested on a warrant for driving with a suspended or revoked license and received a monthlong suspension by the university, which began on Jan. 31, 2009. He served six days in Fresno County jail and wasn’t reinstated by the athletic department until Feb. 24 of that same year.

He was also suspended for one game in 2009 for what was called “inappropriate conduct” during and after a game versus Nevada.