Sean Sutton arrested.

[andyokstate]

Sigh. I hope he gets over this soon.

His mugshot is almost "Nick Nolte" like. Man. I hate to see this happen.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/OSU/article.aspx?subjectid=93&articleid=20100212_93_0_Former887568

Sean Sutton arrested on drug complaints

by: BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Friday, February 12, 2010
2/12/2010 11:36:01 AM

Former Oklahoma State basketball coach Sean Sutton was arrested by Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics agents on Thursday in Stillwater on complaints of attempting to possess controlled dangerous substances, officials said.

OBNDD spokesman Mark Woodward said Sutton remained jailed this morning. It was not certain when Sutton might be arraigned in court.

Woodward said he expects charges to be filed today.

In addition to the controlled substance charge, Woodward said a charge of using a communication device, a cell phone, to commit a felony would also be filed.

Woodward said Sutton has admitted to OBNDD agents that he is addicted to painkillers. Woodward said drugs were obtained from several doctors by fraudulent means, and through shipments from the states of Washington and New York.

A shipment that arrived in Stillwater on Thursday was intercepted and found to contain Adderall and Clonazepam, Woodward said.

"When Sean Sutton arrived to pick it up, our agents confronted him again," Woodward said.

"He confessed and said he was ordering medications to support his addiction. We interviewed him throughout the evening, and then late last night transported him to the Stillwater jail and he was booked for attempting to possess (controlled dangerous substances) and use of a communications device to facilitate a felony."

"We have authorities in the state of Washington and New York assisting us with this," Woodward said. "(Sutton) may face an additional charge or charges of obtaining (drugs) by fraud dating back to those August multiple visits ... to doctors, and failing to disclose to those doctors that he was seeing other physicians."

Check back at tulsaworld.com for updates to this story.

[prerat]

Wow. I didn't see this one coming.

[pistolpete2002]

Unfortunately, this is something we've all known for quite some time, but some people never wanted to admit, until there was evidence, well again, unfortunately here is the evidence.....

[Lewis the Pike]

that sucks, I thought adderall was for ADHD and ADD.

guess you guys were right.

I figured with his dad's history and the "resigning" that would have been the wakeup call.

stinks.

[PokesFanatic]

I guess Mike Holder had his reasons after all...

[Ostreak]

Not shocked at all and F all of those people who let this happen. I have had had several people over the years tell me he has some serious addiction problems, and if I knew about it why the hell did everyone around him let this go on? Someone had to care about him you would think.

Now I am really pissed and depressed.

[wickerbill]

If he was doing this when he was still our coach and Mike Holder knew about it, you have to respect the way he handled it publicly. He took a LOT of heat for getting rid of Sean and you would have hoped it would have been a wake up call for Sean to get his life straightened out. I hope he's able to get it turned around now for his and his family's sake.

[osupride97]

Unfortunately, this is something we've all known for quite some time, but some people never wanted to admit, until there was evidence, well again, unfortunately here is the evidence.....

I knew you would comment on this.

This man needs our prayers. Yes, I am one of those who didn't want to believe it, but I can admit I am wrong.

He is still family and he needs our prayers.

But, you can say I told you so. Hope you feel good.

[pistolpete2002]

I knew you would comment on this.

This man needs our prayers. Yes, I am one of those who didn't want to believe it, but I can admit I am wrong.

He is still family and he needs our prayers.

But, you can say I told you so. Hope you feel good.


Actually I don't feel good about this, it sucks and for you to think I would feel good about it just means you have NO IDEA of what kind of a person I am. Why would anyone feel good about this situation for any person related to any team???

Trust me, I'd of much rather he not of ever gotten in trouble. I said it a few years ago and I'll say it again. I wanted Sean to be our coach SO BAD, but with everything going on on the court and everything we were hearing about off the court, I could see it wasn't going to happen.

[Verb]

It's just heartbreaking. His parents must be absolutely heartsick--his dad especially, since he probably feels some guilt for carrying the addiction gene.

I'm just as sad as I can be about the whole situation. I have faith that Sean can be healed, though.

But I love the Suttons unconditionally for everything they've meant to our beloved school, and that will never change.

[OrangeCat]

Thanks, Verb. Well said. I hope so too.

[jakeman]

I knew you would comment on this.

This man needs our prayers. Yes, I am one of those who didn't want to believe it, but I can admit I am wrong.

He is still family and he needs our prayers.

But, you can say I told you so. Hope you feel good.


You need to ease up. That was way outa line.

You're better than that.

[osupride97]

Jake - thanks for the reprimand. you're better than that.

I came out fired up, and Steven's posts added fuel to my fire.

Instead of saying, woo hoo, told you so, why don't we all pray for the man. I admitted I was wrong about not believing the stories. I was sick of the attacks on Sean over the past two years and I'm even more sick of what I'm reading on the boards, not so much this one, but another one. People so quick to say "I was right, blah blah blah" Well, good. Still doesn't change the fact that this man and his family need our prayers more than ever now.

[76374_Poke]

This is a tremendously sad story. This should not be an "I told you so" moment for anyone. Sean and his family deserves our prayers and support. He will always be a Cowboy in my opinion.
If it wasn't for Eddie and Sean coming to OSU in 1990, I don't know where our basketball program would be right now. In the 1980's, we had one really good season. Most of the time we spent looking up from the cellar of the Big XIII. And the years before that, in the 70's, weren't all that good either.
The reason why most people even care about OSU basketball now is because the Suttons came to Stillwater.

[pistolpete2002]

This is a tremendously sad story. This should not be an "I told you so" moment for anyone. Sean and his family deserves our prayers and support. He will always be a Cowboy in my opinion.
If it wasn't for Eddie and Sean coming to OSU in 1990, I don't know where our basketball program would be right now. In the 1980's, we had one really good season. Most of the time we spent looking up from the cellar of the Big XIII. And the years before that, in the 70's, weren't all that good either.
The reason why most people even care about OSU basketball now is because the Suttons came to Stillwater.

+1 completely agree

[osupsycho]

Well I am glad this is public now for no other reason than it will force Sean to face this addiction and overcome it. He cannot hide it anymore from anyone.

[jbug]

Kind of been indications for years... one evening at a coaches for cancer event at E. Joes folks were wispering...ah look at his eyes/listen to his speech kind of stuff. I know I as one of his close friends if ROH was a problem and they jumped me quick with a Hell No! Then not long before the end came to coaching, he would be at the end of the standing group(players and coaches) at a time out in a game, and James D. would obviously be handling 'duties' (Sean wouldn't event enter the discussion). And in one of the games Sean went to the floor, kind of dropped to his knees (later explained as exhausted???). So we all may have been missing indicators of real problems. Just hope Sean gets right with himself/including his health!

[OrangeCat]

This is a tremendously sad story. This should not be an "I told you so" moment for anyone. Sean and his family deserves our prayers and support. He will always be a Cowboy in my opinion.
If it wasn't for Eddie and Sean coming to OSU in 1990, I don't know where our basketball program would be right now. In the 1980's, we had one really good season. Most of the time we spent looking up from the cellar of the Big XIII. And the years before that, in the 70's, weren't all that good either.
The reason why most people even care about OSU basketball now is because the Suttons came to Stillwater.

and I could add---for all Eddie and Sean did after the plane crash for the OSU community---I know I pray for Sean to find a way to recover and find some peace in his life.

[JimBob]

Kind of been indications for years... one evening at a coaches for cancer event at E. Joes folks were wispering...ah look at his eyes/listen to his speech kind of stuff. I know I as one of his close friends if ROH was a problem and they jumped me quick with a Hell No! Then not long before the end came to coaching, he would be at the end of the standing group(players and coaches) at a time out in a game, and James D. would obviously be handling 'duties' (Sean wouldn't event enter the discussion). And in one of the games Sean went to the floor, kind of dropped to his knees (later explained as exhausted???). So we all may have been missing indicators of real problems. Just hope Sean gets right with himself/including his health!


Wow, nothing like kicking a man when he's down. Classy, very classy.:thwak:

[jbug]

jBOB> Not kickin', what is now open/out in public explains many things to Poke fans. Why such a short period as coach, explains some very unusual behavior, and now hopefully he doesn't have to hide /sneak around. He can deal with his demons and move on to a better life. Sean is a very good man that has had problems similar to those of thousands of others. One just cannot be in the public eye and let this sort of thing go unchecked. All just need to pray he kicks this problem and moves on with his life.

[FloridaPoke]

I have had the unfortunate task on 4 occasions in my career to have to fire someone for addiction. I tried like hell to save them first, but was unable to. Fortunately, in all 4 cases, my firing was the wakeup call they needed to get the right kind of help and set their life back in order. I agree this is not a time to kick a man while he is down, and I don't see anyone doing that. On the other hand, nobody should be bashful or hush hush (timing notwithstanding) about fully understanding the situation from our AD's perspective. The AD bashing that went on here and other sites was relentless over this matter. Reminding people that tough decisions were historically made by our AD that were in the best long term interests of our program is in no way saying "I told you so" and is in no way kicking anyone while they are down. It just is what it is and it is very sad to be played out publicly. And for what it is worth, our University went to great lengths to help Sean, both before and AFTER he was let go.

[CaliforniaCowboy]

I still think it was totally mishandled by Holder... "IF" he knew about it then he should have IMMEDIATELY suspended him and send him for help, if he won't cooperate, then you let him go...

In no circumstance do you let it drag on for half a season (or longer) and then do something rash and irratic with no plan and no planning (according to Holder he deliberated it for a long time).

I hope that he can get help successfully.

[PokesFanatic]

I still think it was totally mishandled by Holder... "IF" he knew about it then he should have IMMEDIATELY suspended him and send him for help, if he won't cooperate, then you let him go...

In no circumstance do you let it drag on for half a season (or longer) and then do something rash and irratic with no plan and no planning (according to Holder he deliberated it for a long time).

I hope that he can get help successfully.

Yes, but you have the benefit of hindsight. Who's to say he didn't give an immediate ultimatum that wasn't answered? Would it have done more or less to destroy Sutton's reputation to have then fired him in the middle of the season?

The fact is, nobody really knows. Holder did what he did in a way that looks tactful in retrospect. Perhaps it wasn't the perfect way of handling the situation, but I find it nothing short of sanctimonious to split hairs over the immediacy (or lack thereof) of Holder's decision without full knowledge of what he did or did not know or when he knew it.

[Pokevette]

I will say that Doug Gotleib was on the Sports Animal last week reporting that he had souces who said part of the reason behind the lump sum payment to Sean by Holder was Holder telling Sean (something to the effect) that Sean needed to take the money and time off to address his personal issues. So, I think Holder knew generally (if not specifically) that Sean had "issues" that were of a nature that his retention as Head Coach could not be extended.

As most know on this board, I'm not real warm to Holder. BUT, in hindsight, I give Holder high marks for doing what needed to be done (sending Sean packing) while at the same time not destroying his reputation or trashing him publicly in a way that would have hindered Sean ever coaching again. At this point, if Sean never coaches again he has only himself to blame, not Holder.

[CaliforniaCowboy]

Yes, but you have the benefit of hindsight. Who's to say he didn't give an immediate ultimatum that wasn't answered? Would it have done more or less to destroy Sutton's reputation to have then fired him in the middle of the season?

The fact is, nobody really knows. Holder did what he did in a way that looks tactful in retrospect. Perhaps it wasn't the perfect way of handling the situation, but I find it nothing short of sanctimonious to split hairs over the immediacy (or lack thereof) of Holder's decision without full knowledge of what he did or did not know or when he knew it.


maybe, but you seem to be playing both sides of the fence, since "everybody" on all message boards seems to "have known" there was an issue and what the issue was. I don't see how we can be reporting it both ways (i.e, maybe he didn't know).

and BTW; IMHO, Holder's responsibility is to the University and to his employees, not to an individual's "reputation". How would it have looked for Holder if there had been an Eddie type of situation, or worse?

In hindsight it appears he did the right thing, but only because he got lucky that it didn't blow up in his face.

[PokesFanatic]

Cali,

I'm not saying Holder didn't know. I'm saying he may only have known about what would eventually prove to be the proverbial 'tip of the iceberg'. Meaning, there may have been numerous reports of something like an alcohol smell on the breath and the associated behaviors that would have warranted a discussion and eventually an ultimatum. Also, if (and this is a big *IF*) there was something else going on like bronchial dilators as uppers and tons more alcohol than was obvious at first sight, Sean may have had a bigger hurdle ahead of him than Holder could have realized.

I'm not pretending to know or not know. What I'm saying is that nobody except Mike Holder knows for sure what he knew or when he knew it. With respect to the facts that have emerged (BIG drug problems) and what we know about the way Holder handled it (cryptic statements in the media, generalizations about some issue with Sean stating he controlled his own destiny) there is no justifiable way to criticize his handling of it outside of commending him for keeping it from becoming a bigger media circus than it was. The fact that Sean's addictions only grew worse after what should have been a huge wakeup call are Sean's fault and his alone. For that matter, why didn't his wife throw down and demand he quit long before? It sure seems to me there are probably a dozen other people to whom you could lay the blame for not pulling the trigger fast enough. Yet, somehow the blame is still on Holder for this.

Honestly. Holder was his boss. Not his AA sponsor.

[CaliforniaCowboy]

Cali,

I'm not saying Holder didn't know. I'm saying he may only have known about what would eventually prove to be the proverbial 'tip of the iceberg'. Meaning, there may have been numerous reports of something like an alcohol smell on the breath and the associated behaviors that would have warranted a discussion and eventually an ultimatum. Also, if (and this is a big *IF*) there was something else going on like bronchial dilators as uppers and tons more alcohol than was obvious at first sight, Sean may have had a bigger hurdle ahead of him than Holder could have realized.

I'm not pretending to know or not know. What I'm saying is that nobody except Mike Holder knows for sure what he knew or when he knew it. With respect to the facts that have emerged (BIG drug problems) and what we know about the way Holder handled it (cryptic statements in the media, generalizations about some issue with Sean stating he controlled his own destiny) there is no justifiable way to criticize his handling of it outside of commending him for keeping it from becoming a bigger media circus than it was. The fact that Sean's addictions only grew worse after what should have been a huge wakeup call are Sean's fault and his alone. For that matter, why didn't his wife throw down and demand he quit long before? It sure seems to me there are probably a dozen other people to whom you could lay the blame for not pulling the trigger fast enough. Yet, somehow the blame is still on Holder for this.

Honestly. Holder was his boss. Not his AA sponsor.

okay, whatever.

OSU was his employer; drug tests for suspected abuse is not out of the question.

IMHO, you are making excuses.

If, as you say, nobody knew, then I'd like to see all these posts stop about what everybody knew.

[PokesFanatic]

If, as you say, nobody knew, then I'd like to see all these posts stop about what everybody knew.

I'm talking about what Holder knew, not what others knew. So we seem to be talking about different things. It is entirely possible that others within the athletic department witnessed things Holder only learned about after the fact (when a drug test might not have mattered).

I just don't believe we should issue retroactive judgment. Lots of people could have intervened for Sean and the only one we're aware of is Mike Holder when he fired Sean. That doesn't mean it ends there, but how the blame still falls on Holder is beyond me.

[JimBob]

In hindsight it appears he did the right thing, but only because he got lucky that it didn't blow up in his face. ''

Speaking of IPFs, how's construction going on ours?:koolaid:

[Ostreak]

...and by the way....

Do we want Sean or Self? :officechair::officechair:

[wickerbill]

I still think it was totally mishandled by Holder... "IF" he knew about it then he should have IMMEDIATELY suspended him and send him for help, if he won't cooperate, then you let him go...

In no circumstance do you let it drag on for half a season (or longer) and then do something rash and irratic with no plan and no planning (according to Holder he deliberated it for a long time).

I hope that he can get help successfully.

Not sure how you can say Holder totally mishandled it when you have absolutely no idea what went on before the public part of Sean's firing.

[pistolpete2002]

Not sure how you can say Holder totally mishandled it when you have absolutely no idea what went on before the public part of Sean's firing.

I'm going to have to agree with this. We have no idea what Holder knew or didn't know, so there is no way for us to make a proper judgment on his decision....

[CaliforniaCowboy]

I'm talking about what Holder knew, not what others knew. So we seem to be talking about different things. It is entirely possible that others within the athletic department witnessed things Holder only learned about after the fact (when a drug test might not have mattered).

I just don't believe we should issue retroactive judgment. Lots of people could have intervened for Sean and the only one we're aware of is Mike Holder when he fired Sean. That doesn't mean it ends there, but how the blame still falls on Holder is beyond me.


hmmm..... well, I guess you missed all the fans (even on this board) calling for Sean's firing, pointing out how "bad" he looked (even my Boss a UCLA fan commented on that), and the prolific sweating...

just saying... if you're right, then "everybody" except apparently Mike Holder knew something was wrong... in which case he wasn't doing his job of that.

Look, the buck stops at the top. Holder was in a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation, and he let it drag on too lone, then took action without thinking it through (i.e., no candidates even lined up for interview).

From purely a "management" perspective and an OSU perspective, he could have been way more proactive and not let this drag on as long as he did without having thought it through. From a "humanity" perspective I see the point being made by others.

[FloridaPoke]

hmmm..... well, I guess you missed all the fans (even on this board) calling for Sean's firing, pointing out how "bad" he looked (even my Boss a UCLA fan commented on that), and the prolific sweating...

just saying... if you're right, then "everybody" except apparently Mike Holder knew something was wrong... in which case he wasn't doing his job of that.

Look, the buck stops at the top. Holder was in a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation, and he let it drag on too lone, then took action without thinking it through (i.e., no candidates even lined up for interview).

From purely a "management" perspective and an OSU perspective, he could have been way more proactive and not let this drag on as long as he did without having thought it through. From a "humanity" perspective I see the point being made by others.

What you are missing Cali is that there is a very detailed "by the book" employment law protocol that had to be followed, in conjunction with Sean's contract. Sean was given many warnings and was offered much help. It was covered like a blanket from legal, moral and humane standpoints. It could not have happened faster or more efficiently.

[OSUFan]

Not to sidetrack this discussion but "those-in-the-know" did you know it was an addiction to painkillers? I thought it was alcoholism or at least that was the impression I got from those who tried to tell us without saying it. And painkillers? Anyone know if Sean was in pain or hurt or did he just start taking them and got addicted?

Let's keep Sean and the whole Sutton family in our prayers.

[osupsycho]

Not to sidetrack this discussion but "those-in-the-know" did you know it was an addiction to painkillers? I thought it was alcoholism or at least that was the impression I got from those who tried to tell us without saying it. And painkillers? Anyone know if Sean was in pain or hurt or did he just start taking them and got addicted?

Let's keep Sean and the whole Sutton family in our prayers.

Sean does not have an addiction to painkillers. He has already admitted that the only reason he was using the painkillers was to get off something stronger. The painkillers were only a recent item that he picked up from people in rehab (according to published reports). I heard he had addications but I never heard what specifically they were.

[PokesFanatic]

Not to sidetrack this discussion but "those-in-the-know" did you know it was an addiction to painkillers? I thought it was alcoholism or at least that was the impression I got from those who tried to tell us without saying it. And painkillers? Anyone know if Sean was in pain or hurt or did he just start taking them and got addicted?

Let's keep Sean and the whole Sutton family in our prayers.

Well, I'm not 'in the know' other than what has been reported, but he wasn't jailed for painkillers. He was caught fraudulently ordering Adderall (which is an ADHD/ADD med that is an amphetamine and dextroamphetamine mixture--pure speed) and a benzodiazepine which will simulate alcohol intoxication when taken in excess. This looks like a classical uppers/downers combination that someone would used to get blitzed out of their gourd.

Now it is completely possible that Sean intended to use this drug combination to kick a pain medication addiction, but it's a shame he didn't just face the former addiction and go into rehab. He could have avoided jail and kept his mugshot out of the papers and would have had the opportunity to get his life back on track.

BTW, I absolutely agree about keeping Sean and his family in our prayers. He's almost certainly in the darkest place of his life right now and he's got a long ways to go.

[wickerbill]

He was charged with going to multiple doctors to get prescriptions for painkillers and was also charged with having oxycodone without a prescription in his car when he was arrested last week. The package he picked up at FedEx didn't have painkillers in it, but his charges prove it was definitely a problem of his.

[wickerbill]

What's crazy is these people that go to multiple doctors will eventually get caught. There is an online database of people that have been prescribed these controlled substances in OK and I know our doctors where I work check it before prescribing them to make sure that the patient isn't going to multiple doctors to get these drugs. We even have patients call us ahead of time to see if we check that database to see if it's even worth their time to come in.

[FloridaPoke]

One of the firings I mentioned above was a man addicted to oxycontin. He had a doctor to prescribe, and a pharmacy to compound the stuff at 4 times the normal dosage totalling up to a $200,000 per year habit. It is synthetic heroin, plain and simple. While it has a definite utility as a pain medication in limited dosage and duration, it is nothing more or less than a hard drug addiction once it becomes an addiction, not a pain medication anymore. So to simplify that particular drug as a pain medication is an over-simplification. Somewhere along the way, it crosses a line. There are others similar to it in its effect.

[OSUFan]

Thanks all for the clarification! Did anyone understand this was the problem when there was discussion of Sean's future as OSU's head basketball coach?

[FloridaPoke]

Yes. The U did a very good job of protecting Sean and his future, both for legal reasons and for Sean's benefit.

[OSUFan]

Not guilty plea entered for former OSU coach Sean Sutton

Sean Sutton
By SUSAN HYLTON World Staff Writer
Published: 2/16/2010 5:29 AM
Last Modified: 2/16/2010 2:40 PM

STILLWATER — Former Oklahoma State basketball head coach Sean Sutton was charged Tuesday with four felonies for allegedly obtaining prescription drugs from two people he met in a drug rehabilitation center.

The charges are:

-- Obtaining a controlled dangerous substance, oxycodone, by fraud from multiple doctors in August 2009.

-- Unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance, oxycodone, without a prescription for having an oxycodone pill in his car when he was pulled over Thursday.

-- Attempted possession of controlled dangerous substances, Adderall and clonazapam, without a prescription for attempting to pick up the package of pharmaceutical drugs mailed to him.

-- Use of a communication device to commit a felony for using his cell phone to arrange for the distribution of the pharmaceutical drugs.

Payne County Special Judge Michael Stano accepted a not guilty plea entered by Sutton’s attorney, Trace Morgan, during an arraignment. The judge excused Sutton’s absence from court after Morgan said Sutton was in a treatment facility in Tulsa. He set a preliminary hearing for April 5.

Morgan refused comment following the proceeding. He was literally chased down a courthouse stairwell by a throng of reporters.

Sutton was released on a $10,000 bond Friday afternoon on the condition that he go to a treatment center, Payne County District Attorney Robert Hudson said.

Article (http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/OSU/article.aspx?subjectid=93&articleid=20100216_11_0_SILAEC685180)

Don't read the comments. It will piss you off. Opposing fans generalizing, putting down OSU, Boone and the Suttons. A-holes.