Man with past run-in with UA player faces steroid charge
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The man who was involved in a traffic incident with Arkansas linebacker Wendel Davis last summer was arrested Monday on various drug charges, including possession with intent to deliver steroids.
Onyebuchi Odunukwe, 21, was arrested in connection with possession with intent to deliver marijuana and steroids, conspiracy to deliver marijuana, and simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms.
The Fourth Judicial District Drug Task Force arrested two men Monday and confiscated two hand guns, 23 pounds of marijuana and a number of vials and pills of steroids. (Times Photo/Anthony Reyes)
Odunukwe, who was reportedly feuding with Davis last summer over a woman, allegedly ran his car into the rear of a scooter Davis was driving on Maple Street on July 1. Davis allegedly damaged Odunukwe’s car with his fists afterward and ended up in the hospital with a fractured bone in his hand. Felony charges for the two were later diminished and Davis pleaded guilty to the lesser charges, which resulted in a suspended sentence, community service and an anger management course.
An exact value for the "numerous" vials of steroids obtained at Odunukwe's residence was not known, said Fayetteville Police Cpl. Craig Stout. The 21-year-old is listed as a self-employed physical trainer in a preliminary police report.
The past run-in between Davis and Odunukwe does not raise any questions of a connection, Stout said.
"We have no reason to believe that any UA athletes are involved," Stout said. "There's definitely some follow up to do because there's been a lot of activity with [Odunukwe]."
After a confidential informant obtained “multiple pounds” of marijuana from Odunukwe on Monday, police stopped Odunukwe in his vehicle near Dickson Street and Highland Avenue. Detectives with the Fourth Judicial District Drug Task Force obtained a consent to search his residence, where they later found a loaded handgun, marijuana and vials of steroids. Police found 15 pounds of marijuana at the residence located at 2672 Arroyo Ave. in Fayetteville.
Odunukwe was arrested at 9:30 p.m. Monday, according to the preliminary police report. He was booked at the Washington County Detention Center at 12:49 a.m. today and is being held on $10,000 bond.
Stout said Human Growth Hormone was also found during the drug seize, but was unaware of any previous steroid busts in Fayetteville in recent years.
"... This is something we don't encounter that often," Stout said. "This is new territory for us."
On Monday, police also arrested Chad Dittrich, 22, after he was observed entering Odunukwe’s residence and leaving with a package, according to a news release. A traffic stop and a search of his vehicle revealed “approximately” 8 pounds of “high-grade” marijuana, according to a preliminary police report. He was arrested at 9 p.m. on a charge of possession of controlled substance with an intent to deliver and was booked into the Washington County Detention Center at 12:18 a.m. today
Dittrich was released on $5,000 bond at 1:58 p.m.
Northwest Arkansas Times reporter Kate Ward contributed to this report.
