Posted on 02/19/2006 12:38:38 PM PST by wagglebee
The son of U.S. Senate Democratic candidate Jim Pederson was arrested by Maricopa County sheriff's detectives Friday night after an investigation into the use and sales of narcotics.
James Robert Pederson, 24, was taken into custody at about 7:30 p.m. Friday after a search of his home, Lt. Paul Chagolla said.
Pederson was booked on charges including possession of narcotics, possession of prescription-only narcotics, possession of marijuana, possession of narcotic drugs-interstate, possession of paraphernalia and misconduct with weapons, Chagolla said. He was booked into jail and released on his own recognizance Saturday morning.
He was not booked on sales charges, but the investigation is ongoing, Chagolla said. Some of the drugs were apparently sent across state lines, and weapons were found.
The elder Pederson is a wealthy developer, former state Democratic Party chairman and current U.S. Senate candidate. He's challenging Republican U.S. Senator Jon Kyl.
In a statement, he asked for the public to respect his family's privacy while they work though the matter.
"Roberta and I thank everyone for their calls and best wishes," Jim Pederson said. "Like any parents, we love Jimmy and care deeply for his well-being.
"This is a personal matter that is obviously very troubling and being dealt with within our family right now."
Kyl also issued a statement through his staff after the arrest became public.
"My wife Caryll and I express our empathy for the Pederson family as they deal with this difficult problem," Kyl said. "We wish them the very best."
Chagolla said detectives began an investigation into the younger Pederson after receiving information that he was using drugs and selling them to college-age students.
Detectives were watching his movements and stopped James Pederson's vehicle Friday afternoon. They asked for permission to do a search and found narcotics paraphernalia, Chagolla said.
With that evidence and the results of the investigation, they got a search warrant for the younger Pederson's home, located near 15th and Glendale avenues in Phoenix, Chagolla said. The home is owned by the elder Pederson but he doesn't live there.
Exactly what was found can't be disclosed yet because the search warrant must first be returned to the judge with an inventory, Chagolla said.
Sheriff Joe Arpaio said the investigation began about five weeks ago, and had no connection to the elder Pederson.
"We knew who he was the son of, of course, but that had no bearing on the investigation," Arpaio said. "We did what we had to do, I put my detectives on it and that's the way it goes."
Arpaio has endorsed Kyl, but said politics weren't involved.
"He's a nice guy, Pederson is, and it's a shame that drugs are affecting our families," Arpaio said. "This has nothing to do with politics. I go after everybody.
"It was brought to my attention that he was selling to students," Arpaio said, "and I make that a top priority."
In a statement, he asked for the public to respect his family's privacy while they work though the matter.
Nobody seemed to care about Harry Whittington's privacy, but I'm sure the media will be more than happy to bury this story forever.
Someone's gonna get to see the inside of Sheriff Joe's tent city up close and personal. SNICKER SNICKER SNICKER!
I agree with that statement.
Harry Whittington held a voluntary news conference and handled it quite well. If the press is harrassing him now, that's wrong too.
When the Bush twins were having their problems, "W" rightly treated it as a family problem and not for public discussion.
This is about exactly what happened in Minnesota 6 years ago. Mark Dayton D was running against Rod Gramm R. Gramms son who was in his early 20's got into trouble. I believe it was a drug situation in Arizona. The press badgered him on it constantly telling him he should be spending more time raising his kids Etc. They were relentless in the reporting of this so finally Gramms broke down and told them to mind their own business. Of course they didn't and it was a big factor in him losing Dayton. However, since this guy is a democrat you will probably never hear about it again.
Send him to "Abu Cactus"!
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