Things are getting worse by the day for Michael Vick. Some 24 hours after the state of Virginia charged him in the dogfighting case, a drug test has detected marijuana in his system.
Because of the dirty test result, U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson placed special conditions on Vick's release, including restricting him to his home between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. with electronic monitoring and ordering him to submit to random drug testing.
Hudson's order also requires Vick to participate in inpatient or outpatient substance therapy and mental health counseling, if the pretrial services officer or supervising officer deem it appropriate. Vick must pay for the treatment.
The urine sample was taken on Sept. 13, according to a document by a federal probation officer that was filed in U.S. District Court on Wednesday. Because he violated the conditions of his release, Hudson may take that into a count at sentencing.
"Every judge considers pretty seriously if they feel that the defendant has flaunted the conditions for release," criminal procedure expert Linda Malone explained to the Associated Press. "It's certainly not a smart thing to do."
Vick was on release after pleading guilty to financing a dogfighting enterprise on his Surry County, Va. property. He faces up to five years in prison at his scheduled sentencing Dec. 10.
The 27-year-old was placed under pretrial release supervision by U.S. Magistrate Dennis Dohnal in July. The restrictions included refraining from use or unlawful possession of narcotic drugs or other controlled substances.
The random drug testing ordered Wednesday could include urine testing, the wearing of a sweat patch, a remote alcohol testing system or any form of prohibited substance screening or testing.
On Tuesday, Vick also was indicted on state charges of beating or killing or causing dogs to fight other dogs and engaging in or promoting dogfighting. Each felony is punishable by up to five years in prison.
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