Carolyn Peirce, The Examiner
2008-07-03 11:48:18.0
Current rank: Not ranked

Anne Arundel County -

The trial scheduled today for Tyler Hibbs, The Examiner’s 2007 Baseball Player of the Year, was canceled, because the athlete pleaded guilty to a drug charge, according to court records.

Hibbs, 18, of New Dawn Lane in Odenton, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

The former star Arundel High School pitcher was sentenced in May by Anne Arundel Circuit Judge William Mulford II to probation before judgment, three years supervised probation and 50 hours of community service, said Assistant State’s Attorney Eileen Reilly.

“It was settled back in May … based on the guidelines, I was not opposed to the probation before judgment following the three years of supervised probation, but the judge gave it to him right away,” Reilly said.

Hibbs was required to attend night school at Meade High School in March and was not allowed to play high school athletics.

His scholarship to Florida State University was rescinded after the charges became public, but he has graduated from high school and signed with Tallahassee Community College.

Hibbs could have faced up to six years in prison and $17,000 in fines for the initial charges of possession with intent to distribute and two counts of possession of drug related paraphernalia following a traffic stop Feb. 26 in Odenton.

Hibbs was clocked going 68 mph in a 45 mph zone in his father’s Acura about 9:45 p.m., according to charging documents.

After approaching the vehicle, an Anne Arundel police officer smelled a strong odor and ordered Hibbs and his three passengers out of the vehicle.

The officer found a large plastic bag, which contained eight smaller plastic bags, each of which contained a total of 16 grams of marijuana.

Also in the car was a bag containing 30 grams of marijuana and a digital scale, according to charging documents.

Hibbs was carrying $574 in cash, which police seized.

Hibbs’ attorney Frank Gray could not be reached for comment.

cpeirce@baltimoreexaminer.com