SC sheriff: No pot charge for Phelps after photo

02-18-2009 | AP

Even with a star status he is still obligated to obey state laws

Panama Star COLUMBIA, S. C. A South Carolina sheriff said Monday he was not going to charge swimmer Michael Phelps after a photo of the 14-time gold medalist showed him smoking from a marijuana pipe.

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said he couldn't ignore the photo but defended his investigation.

"Michael Phelps is truly an American hero.. but even with his star status, he is still obligated to obey the laws of our state," Lott said.

The photo showed Phelps smoking from a marijuana pipe at a party in November when he visited the University of South Carolina.

Phelps has called his judgment bad and said he would learn from his mistake.

USA Swimming suspended Phelps for three months in the wake of the photo, and Kellogg Co. said it would not renew its endorsement deal with him.

The photo surfaced in a British newspaper, News of the World, on Feb. 1. The swimmer, who won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Games, did not dispute its authenticity.

News of the World said, the picture was taken at a party, that occurred nearly three months after the Olympics while Phelps was taking a break from training