Olympic Archer Turns Self In on Drug Charge

Olympic gold medalist Justin Huish and his roommate surrendered to authorities Thursday in Ventura County Superior Court on charges they were selling marijuana from their Simi Valley home.

Ventura County Superior Court Judge Donald Coleman granted Huish, 25, and 24-year-old Brian Mastrangelo, 48 hours to report to the Simi Valley Police Department for booking on one felony count each of possessing marijuana with intent to sell.

Mastrangelo also faces two counts of possession of a deadly weapon for having a billy club and a martial arts weapon commonly known as a throwing star.

Mastrangelo was booked late Thursday afternoon. Huish has until 2:30 p.m. Saturday to report to police for booking.

Authorities allowed the two suspects to turn themselves in after charges were filed subsequent to the issuance of a police warrant, according to Deputy Dist. Atty. Chris Harman. Police were assured by attorneys for the two defendants that arrests were unnecessary and that the two would appear in court.

Coleman allowed the men to remain free until their March 16 arraignment.

Simi Valley police on Wednesday issued arrest warrants for Huish and Mastrangelo after a monthlong investigation.

During a Feb. 15 search of the Simi Valley home the two men share, police said they found 4.5 ounces of marijuana, 4.2 grams of hashish oil, $23,000 in cash, scales, packaging materials and ledgers.

Huish, an archer who won two gold medals in 1996, appeared in court nearly an hour after the judge called his case. He spoke only once, answering “yes” when the judge asked if he understood the charge.