Hornets’ Montrezl Harrell Facing Felony Drug Charges After Traffic Stop

Hornets forward Montrezl Harrell is facing felony drug charges connected to a traffic stop in Richmond, Ky., last month, according to Roderick Boone of the Charlotte Observer.

According to police records obtained by Boone, Harrell was pulled over by a Kentucky state trooper the morning of May 12 for following the vehicle in front of him too closely while traveling southbound on I-75 just south of Lexington.

Trooper Jesse Owens stated in his report that during the stop he “observed odor of marijuana” from the silver 2020 Honda Pilot that Harrell was driving. Owens wrote that the 28-year-old NBA player “admitted to being in possession of marijuana and produced a small amount from his sweatpants.” During a subsequent search of the vehicle, which Harrell claimed was rented, Owens discovered “three pounds of marijuana in vacuum sealed bags” in a backpack in the back seat.

Harrell was charged with trafficking less than five pounds of marijuana, which is a Class D Felony for first-time offenders in Kentucky. Under state law, it is punishable by one to five years of incarceration with a fine ranging from $1,000 to $10,000.

According to Madison County, Ky., court records obtained by Boone, Harrell was scheduled to be arraigned at 9 a.m. Monday to answer the traffic citation.

Harrell was acquired by the Hornets in exchange for Ish Smith and Vernon Carey Jr. in a trade with the Wizards this past February. The seven-year NBA veteran played a key role off the bench in Charlotte in the latter part of the 2021–22 season, averaging 11.4 points and 4.9 rebounds in 25 games for the franchise. 

Harrell is set to become an unrestricted free agent when the new league year begins next month.