By Devin Simmons
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Wednesday December 11, 2002
Says son Justin is Îbook smart,' but a Îstreet idiot'
The father of Justin Levasseur, the UA football player who was arrested in Illinois last Tuesday on suspicion of intent to deal the 87 pounds of marijuana found in his truck, said that the only thing his son is guilty of is a desire for money.
In a conversation with the Wildcat on Tuesday, Michael Levasseur said that Justin ÷ who had been in jail for a week as of yesterday ÷ had often made comments about how other players on the team were living beyond their means.
"I'm not making any specific claims," Michael Levasseur said. "But these guys don't have a conventional "weekend at the lake" kind of life. Things can get very lean. He saw other players enjoying things beyond their means and he wanted something, too."
Michael Levasseur said that Justin demonstrated poor judgment, that he was given an opportunity to make some fast cash, and got caught for it.
"Justin is in a roller-coaster of emotions right now," Levasseur said. "But he is hoping for forgiveness. He is eager to be given a second chance to make a right out of this wrong."
Justin was being held in lieu of $300,000 bond at the Henry County Jail in Illinois yesterday, according to the county court clerk.
Levasseur's father said the family is seeking a bail reduction and they are hoping to have him back to Tucson by Thursday or Friday. He also said it was Levasseur's intention to go directly to the university to address the situation with athletics director Jim Livengood.
"We have been very pleased with the university," Michael Levasseur said. "We have always had a great relationship with Livengood and everybody else at the UA. So far I am encouraged by the conversations we have had with them."
Livengood was unavailable for comment on yesterday.
Levasseur is charged with possession of cannabis over 500 grams, possession of cannabis with intent to deliver and cannabis trafficking, said Sergeant Thomas J. Burek of the Illinois State Police.
The 87 pounds of marijuana have a street value of nearly $150,000, Burek said.
According to a Howard County Clerk, Levasseur has been in hearing for the last two days. He has pled not guilty and a pre-trial conference without a jury has been set for Jan. 10. His trial will be during the week of Feb. 3rd, the clerk said.
Levasseur was the football player that Coach John Mackovic accused of being "a disgrace to his family" during a Nov. 9 game against UCLA. He has had 11 catches for 143 yards.
