Felony Drug Charge for Huish

Justin Huish, two-time 1996 Olympic archery gold medalist, 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 was booked Thursday. Huish has until 2:30 p.m. Saturday to report.

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

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

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

Huish, who won individual and team gold medals at the Atlanta Games, appeared in court nearly an hour after the judge had called his case. He spoke only once, answering “yes” when asked by the judge if he understood the charges.

Huish’s attorney, Philip Dunn of Westlake Village, said the Simi Valley High graduate, who appeared at the school for an anti-drug rally in 1996, was concerned the charges would keep him from competing in the Sydney Olympics in September.

Huish faces up to three years in prison, Mastrangelo up to four years.

Officials of the U.S. Olympic Committee and the National Archery Assn., the governing body for the sport, said it’s too soon to say whether Huish’s surrender to felony charges will keep him from competing in the Sydney Games.

“Ultimately, the disposition of this individual case will [determine] whether he can represent the United States in Sydney,” said USOC spokesman Mike Moran.

Huish qualified at trials in Chula Vista last September to compete in the Sydney Games, but the National Archery Assn. has until Aug. 25 to nominate him to the Olympic team, said association spokesman Bill Kellick.

“We’re currently looking into the issue,” Kellick said . “We don’t know all the effects yet [of the charges]. It wouldn’t be fair to speculate on what penalty would be given to Justin.”

In 1993, Huish was sentenced to three years’ probation and 120 hours of community service after pleading no contest to charges he spray-painted “KKK” on the mailbox and driveway of an African American couple.