Colts owner Jim Irsay charged with two misdemeanors

Colts owner Jim Irsay was arrested for driving under the influence and possession of controlled substances in March. (Joey Foley/Getty Images) Indianapolis

Colts owner Jim Irsay was arrested for driving under the influence and possession of controlled substances in March. (Joey Foley/Getty Images)

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay will be charged with two misdemeanors after his arrest for driving under the influence and possession of a controlled substance in March, according to FOX59 News.

The Hamilton County prosecutor's office later released a statement.

The Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed one count of Operating a Vehicle

While Intoxicated, a Class C Misdemeanor and one count of Operating a Vehicle with a

Schedule I or II Controlled Substance or its Metabolite in the Body, a Class C Misdemeanor

against James S. Irsay.

FOX59 News reports the substances were oxycodone and/or hydrocodone. Irsay could face a 60-day jail sentence for each misdemeanor charge if convicted.

Irsay originally faced four felony counts including the DUI and preliminary possession charges.

A source told FOX59 News that the OWI count is a result of Irsay “mixing medications” and then driving along Horseferry Road when he was stopped shortly before midnight by a Carmel police officer who reported that he witnessed erratic driving.

Irsay allegedly told the officer he had recently purchased a home in a nearby subdivision and was unfamiliar with its location.

A search of Irsay’s vehicle revealed as many as five medications in a briefcase, a duffle bag and in the personal possession of the NFL owner. There was no indication of alcohol or street drugs in Irsay’s possession.

A source indicates that investigators have spent the last two months analyzing the pills found in Irsay’s possession to determine their identity, quantity and origin.  Some of the dosages are inconsistent with a typical patient’s therapeutic need or Irsay’s prescriptions, according to the source. The seized medications were in quantities that, while perhaps excessive for personal use, did not rise to the level of dealing status.

The filing of charges was delayed while Irsay’s blood samples were sent to a private laboratory for analysis, as the Indiana Department of Toxicology does not test for all prescription substances.

MMQB: Roger Goodell's Irsay problem

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has drawn criticism for allowing Irsay to participate in the Colts' draft day activities and Indianapolis's bid for the 2018 Super Bowl. On Wednesday, Washington Redskins safety Ryan Clark accused Goodell of being hypocritical in his lack of action following Irsay's arrest in light of his record of disciplining players in trouble with the law.